Brief aan Willem Bogtman 1924

This letter to Willem Bogtman was written in 1924 by Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst with ink on paper. You can almost see the artist’s hand moving across the page, each word a deliberate gesture. The ink sits on the surface, dark and opaque, creating a stark contrast with the pale paper. Look closely, and you'll notice how the lines vary in thickness, revealing the pressure and speed of the pen. There's a rhythm to it, a dance between control and spontaneity that reminds me of the act of painting itself. The smudges and variations in the ink, like unexpected colors blending on a canvas, create depth and texture, hinting at the artist's process and mindset. It makes me think of Cy Twombly's scribbled drawings, which share a similar gestural quality. Like Holst, Twombly embraced imperfection and celebrated the raw energy of mark-making, reminding us that art is as much about the journey as it is about the destination.