Ontwerp voor raam in het Noordertransept in de Dom te Utrecht c. 1878 - 1938

This design for a window in Utrecht Cathedral, by Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst, presents us with a figure rendered in chalk and gouache against a backdrop of vivid red. The composition is striking: the face of a king or prophet dominates the frame, yet it is segmented by heavy, dark lines, as if the figure is fractured or seen through a shattered pane. Roland Holst employs a structuralist approach here, breaking down the figure into geometric components, revealing an underlying framework. This technique not only echoes the leaded structure of stained glass but also disrupts traditional notions of wholeness. The subject's closed eyes suggest introspection, contrasting with the active lines that dissect his face, creating a visual tension. The colour choice is also critical: the warm reds behind contrast with the muted tones of the figure, drawing our eye to the abstract qualities of the background. The interplay between figuration and abstraction challenges our perception, inviting us to question fixed meanings. The artwork's power lies in its ability to destabilize established categories, engaging with modern ideas about representation and perception.