Briefkaart aan Jan Veth Possibly 1899

This 'Briefkaart aan Jan Veth' was created by Cornelis Hofstede de Groot. Its composition immediately draws us to the interplay of text and image—the structured layout of the pre-printed postcard contrasts with the personal, free-flowing script of the sender. The postcard functions as a sign, encoding a message within a formal framework. The official stamps and seals act as visual anchors, framing the handwritten text and adding layers of meaning and authority. The handwriting introduces an element of human imperfection, juxtaposed against the mechanical precision of the printing. Note how the direction of the handwriting goes horizontally, which clashes with the vertical stamps at the top right of the postcard. This subtle disruption highlights the tension between personal expression and bureaucratic form, echoing broader cultural discourses around individuality and social structure.