Brief aan Willem Frederik Gouwe Possibly 1936

This is a letter to Willem Frederik Gouwe, written in 1936 by the Dutch artist Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst. Although seemingly personal, its presence in the Rijksmuseum raises interesting questions about the role of correspondence as a cultural object. Written in dark ink on thin paper, the letter provides a glimpse into the artistic and intellectual circles of the Netherlands in the interwar period. Holst, associated with a socialist guild, engaged with the political and social issues of his time, and we might see the traces of that in this letter. The handwriting is quick and informal. The language, which appears to be a mixture of Dutch and possibly another language, suggests a sophisticated, cosmopolitan exchange between two educated individuals. Understanding the full context of this letter would require further research. The Rijksmuseum archives might contain more information about Holst, Gouwe, and their relationship. The content and tone of the letter might reveal how these men saw their role in shaping Dutch culture and society. The act of preserving and displaying this letter elevates it from a private communication to a historical artifact, worthy of public attention and interpretation.