De la carta pintada al arte postal y sus recursos para motivar la recepción del espectador

Abstract

Th e aim of this article is to explore the artists’ motivations and strategies with regard to the epistolary theme, from its pictorial representation by genre painters from the fi fteenth to the eighteen century, to the appropriation of the form itself by twentieth century vanguard artists and their followers, with their mail art experiences. By observing and analysing how artists have come together, from apparently very diff erent stances, to understand this subject etched in our everyday life and privacy, we shall try to highlight their resources to capture the spectator’s attention and incite the acceptance of the work. Th e painted letter questions our senses and curiosity, as it is a visual object and it also carries a message, an evocative symbol of a truth beyond the picture; by recreating everyday scenes, the painter is trying to stimulate our exploration of the work. On the other hand mail artists, breaking with traditional forms, question the very nature of the work and its place in society with the aim of involving the recipient-spectator in the acceptance-recreation of the work.