Kop van een man, van opzij 1878 - 1938

Editor: Here we have "Head of a Man, in profile," a pencil drawing by Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst, likely created between 1878 and 1938. There’s something quite immediate about it; you can really see the artist’s hand. What strikes you most about the materials and process? Curator: I'm interested in the seemingly simple medium – pencil on paper. But let's think about paper production during that time, especially in relation to artistic practice. Was this mass-produced paper? What's the provenance of the graphite? These elements impact accessibility and challenge notions of artistic exclusivity. Holst had the economic means to make this artwork, and somebody worked hard so that they did. Editor: That's interesting, I never thought about the paper itself being a product of labor. What do you mean by "artistic exclusivity?" Curator: How readily available were these materials, and to whom? Realism, seemingly straightforward, involves choices about materials, which, in turn, are tied to broader social and economic structures. Roland Holst’s choice to create this portrait is determined by resources outside of skill. Acknowledging all the steps is part of an investigation into how labor and class interact with fine art. Editor: So, it's less about the finished portrait, and more about deconstructing all the labor that went into making the artwork possible in the first place? Curator: Precisely! It encourages us to consider the artist as not just an individual genius, but part of a larger system of production and consumption. How can viewing art with this in mind, create more access and interest for an otherwise dismissive or intimidated observer? Editor: That's a totally fresh perspective for me. Looking at art this way, it becomes way more engaging because it's connected to the real world and actual material conditions. Curator: And, hopefully, democratizes the process, reframing the very act of viewing and appreciation.