Traditie, Scheppingskracht en Erkenning 1878 - 1938

Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst created this artwork, titled "Traditie, Scheppingskracht en Erkenning", during a period of significant social and artistic change. Holst, deeply involved in socialist ideals, sought to address the societal tensions of his time through his art. The work depicts a scene of tradition, creativity and acknowledgment, these concepts appear to be interwoven, representing the tension between inherited norms and forward thinking innovation. Holst was interested in the way in which people shape societal narratives and challenge existing power structures. The figures depicted in the image, particularly the male rider, project a certain sense of idealistic masculinity, which invites consideration of gender roles in cultural progress. The kneeling figure, on the other hand, evokes the more passive roles often assigned to women. Holst's piece invites us to reflect on the ways in which narratives of tradition, creation, and recognition are shaped by gendered and social power dynamics, and on how we perceive our own identities and roles in the ongoing unfolding of cultural history.