Prentbriefkaart aan Willem Bogtman before 1922

This is a humble paper postcard, sent to Willem Bogtman by Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst. The card itself is an artifact of mass production. It speaks to the rise of industrial capitalism and the commodification of communication in the early 20th century. The card's surface, likely coated with a thin layer of clay, was designed for easy printing and writing. Roland Holst's handwriting, rendered in ink, contrasts with the printed text and imagery. It personalizes the otherwise standardized form. The postal stamp indicates the card was sent in 1922. This places the object within a specific historical context of modernity. The postcard's value lies not in its material extravagance, but in its capacity to convey a message. It highlights the social context of communication in the era of mass production. By examining this everyday artifact, we gain insight into the relationship between art, labor, and consumption in the modern world, blurring distinctions between the fine and the functional.