Brief aan Ina van Eibergen Santhagens-Waller c. 1930 - 1938

This is a letter written by Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst to Ina van Eibergen Santhagens-Waller, though the exact date is unknown. Holst was a Dutch artist known for his socialist ideals, which is very important when contextualizing this letter. At the time, art institutions in the Netherlands were undergoing significant changes, influenced by social and political movements. Holst was an active participant in these debates, often critiquing the role of art and artists in society. It is no surprise, then, that this letter reflects Holst's concerns about the commercialization of art and the artist's role in challenging social norms. He questions what one must do with 'official gestures'. To understand this letter better, one could research Holst's involvement in socialist movements, his views on art education, and the broader cultural debates of the time. By exploring these avenues, we can gain a deeper appreciation of Holst's complex social and institutional context.