Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1894

This letter, penned in Amsterdam on April 7th, 1894 by Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst, is made with paper and ink. Seemingly everyday materials, yet the artist's choice reveals a great deal about the values of his artistic circle. The letter’s material quality is vital. The texture of the paper, the particular fluidity of the ink, all speak to the writer's desire for a form of communication that's both personal and precise. Look closely, and you can see the slight variations in pressure, evidence of Holst’s hand shaping each word, lending the message a weight beyond its literal meaning. It is addressed to Philip Zilcken to officially announce this postponement to William Morris, Walter Crane, and Charles Ricketts. This attention to material and process is characteristic of the Arts and Crafts movement, which Holst greatly admired. Like many artists associated with this movement, he rejected industrial modes of production and prioritized handcraft. Therefore, the materiality of this letter is a key aspect of its significance. By choosing these materials and processes, Holst elevates a simple letter into a statement about his artistic values and social commitments.