Briefkaart aan Ab Bogtman Possibly 1935 - 1937

This postcard was sent by Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst; I imagine him somewhere in the Dutch countryside, probably with a fountain pen in hand. It’s interesting to think about the back of an artwork, which often remains unseen. The writing itself is a kind of drawing, you know? The marks are dense and full of personal expression. Each stroke has a particular rhythm and energy. There’s something immediate and intimate about handwriting, a direct trace of the hand and mind. I can almost feel the artist pressing the pen to the paper. Holst probably wasn’t thinking about permanence, but about immediate communication with his friend. The texture is smooth, and the ink is dark, almost black, making each word stand out. He’s conversing, sharing thoughts. This brings the artist closer, as though we’re overhearing a private conversation. It makes me think about all the different ways we leave our mark.