Brief aan Ab Bogtman Possibly 1934 - 1937

This is a postcard, a 'Brief aan Ab Bogtman', by Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst. The most striking formal element is the contrast between the structured lines of the address and stamp, versus the free flowing cursive of the letter and the artist's signature. Roland Holst's handwriting sprawls across the card, creating a visual texture that speaks to a personal, intimate communication. Note how the lines of script vary in pressure and thickness, animating the surface with rhythm. This energetic inscription destabilizes the rigid, geometric forms of the postal stamp and the neatly printed address label. The postcard transcends its functional purpose. It becomes a field for exploring the interplay between spontaneous expression and codified systems of communication, challenging the viewer to consider how personal and public forms of language intersect. This tension suggests a broader commentary on the relationship between the individual and societal structures.