Brief aan Jan Veth 1878 - 1925

This handwritten letter was penned by Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst in 1921. I imagine him sitting at his desk, the nib of his pen scratching across the page, his thoughts flowing onto the paper. The ink meanders, each stroke a delicate dance between intention and chance. It’s a private script, intended for just one reader, Jan Veth. It makes me wonder, what was their relationship like? Were they close friends, fellow artists, or intellectual sparring partners? I picture them sharing ideas, critiquing each other’s work, and debating the burning questions of the day. Roland Holst's handwriting, with its unique quirks and flourishes, reminds me of the way Cy Twombly used words and handwriting in his paintings—a kind of poetry made visible. And, just like the Abstract Expressionists, there’s an emotional vulnerability in the act of writing like this, a willingness to expose one's thoughts and feelings. It’s a beautiful, intimate moment, and it's a privilege to be a witness to their exchange.