Zittende naakte jongen met opgeheven arm 1878 - 1938

Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst made this pencil drawing of a seated nude boy with raised arm, which is now here at the Rijksmuseum. It’s such a beautiful and sensitive study. I can almost see him there in his studio, lightly, tenderly capturing the sitter, focusing on the way the light falls on the figure, the planes and volumes of his body. He has this one arm raised, like he's gesturing, or reaching for something, maybe asking a question? I wonder what Roland Holst said to him, or what music was playing as he drew? I love how you can see the history of mark-making, the erasures and redrawing. It feels like it's still alive, still unfolding. Like the artist is working it out as he goes, and we get to witness that process. Artists are constantly in dialogue with each other, across time and space, building on what came before, responding to what's happening now. It's a conversation, an exchange of ideas and influences, and that’s what makes it so exciting and meaningful.