The Hours 1918

Curator: I find myself captivated by this peculiar dreamscape. The subdued colors lend an ethereal quality. It feels… nostalgic, somehow. Editor: You’ve tuned right into the subtle beauty of Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst's "The Hours," created in 1918. This piece, housed here at the Rijksmuseum, is rendered with watercolor and coloured pencil. It is small and, yet, suggests big concepts. Curator: "The Hours," huh? Seems like a symbolic representation, maybe Father Time’s younger, artsier sister floating by with, I don't know, the secret of good lighting? The color palette really makes it something else. Did Holst make any particular artistic choices that really exemplify symbolic style? Editor: Absolutely. Holst moved in socialist circles, and, later, became highly influenced by mystical beliefs. One element that does really highlight these stylistic elements is that Roland Holst actively explored line-work in order to capture both inner experiences and represent the broader cultural themes shaping his world. This exploration aimed to highlight emotional states. It seems this can certainly explain the woman that flies. Curator: Right! Her robes flow into, what? Is that the earth? She is also an earthy, toned woman, she embodies fertility and new beginnings, perhaps even hope. Editor: Some viewers see hope, and some fear. It all depends on what we associate with “time,” isn't it? Holst himself worked to fuse artistic expression with a drive toward societal enlightenment through symbols. He saw the transformative potential of accessible symbols, particularly at a time marked by turmoil. The formal properties are, therefore, political! Curator: It's almost unsettling. She definitely made a statement about her values using the techniques she believed to hold societal change potential. Still...I wouldn’t say unsettling in a bad way, but I'd describe her aura as quietly...determined? What’s most interesting is the timeless quality, how it speaks across decades. Editor: A worthwhile reflection that perfectly captures the quiet intensity embedded within “The Hours.”