Brief aan Ina van Eibergen Santhagens-Waller c. 1878 - 1938

This is a handwritten letter by Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst, dating to no later than 1938, the year of his death. It is written in ink on paper – humble materials for what must have been an intimate conversation. The material quality of the letter is vital to its impact. The ink bleeds slightly into the paper, making the writing soft and personal. The handwriting gives a sense of Holst’s temperament, and the speed at which he was moved to write. It is also a reminder of the time and labor involved in corresponding before the age of digital media; each word carefully chosen and transcribed by hand. The letter provides a material link to the artist's thoughts and feelings; a direct conduit to his inner world. Through this humble medium, we gain insight into the artist's life, values, and the social context in which he lived, reminding us of the importance of craft and making in understanding history.