Briefkaart aan Willem Bogtman Possibly 1926

Editor: Here we have Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst’s “Briefkaart aan Willem Bogtman,” likely from 1926. It's ink on paper and appears to be the back of a postcard with a handwritten message and some pen sketches. The quick, almost frantic handwriting makes me wonder about the context of its creation. What stands out to you in terms of its historical or cultural significance? Curator: This postcard offers a fascinating glimpse into the artistic networks of the early 20th century. Roland Holst, a prominent figure in the Dutch Symbolist movement, corresponded with many artists and intellectuals. The quick, informal nature of the postcard medium itself speaks volumes. In an era before email, it served as a rapid and accessible means of communication within artistic circles. Note the address it was sent to; I wonder, was Emmakade 45 a well-known artistic hub? Editor: That’s interesting! So the postcard isn’t just a message, but a little piece of social networking in action. Curator: Precisely. And notice how the handwriting, the stamps, and even the ink become carriers of meaning. The Dutch postal system at the time was deeply integrated into society. Postcards were very common but also represented bureaucracy and authority. We see the hand-drawn characters contrast with the formal address and pre-printed postcard banner. In this regard, the “Briefkaart aan Willem Bogtman” operates as a piece of anti-establishment art by rejecting formality in an effort to achieve real, artistic community. Does knowing all that influence your sense of its overall mood now? Editor: It does, actually. What first seemed like frantic energy now seems more like an intimate exchange defying social norms. I’m glad I got to reconsider my initial read! Curator: And I find myself appreciating Roland Holst's ingenuity and subversive style all the more by looking at it with you. Thank you!