Brief aan Joop Sjollema Possibly 1938

This letter, Brief aan Joop Sjollema, was written by Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst on paper, but really, it’s so much more than just a note. Look at the texture of the paper, slightly crumpled and aged, it feels precious, doesn’t it? The handwriting is delicate, almost spidery, with loops and swirls that give it a life of its own. You can imagine the artist, pen in hand, carefully forming each word, each letter a tiny gesture. There is an intimacy in the way these marks are put down, like a whisper across time. That dark ink against the creamy paper, it's a simple contrast, but it’s so effective. It reminds me a little of Cy Twombly, in its casual beauty, but also of Hilma af Klint, in its personal symbolism. Holst uses the letter format in a similarly evocative and beautiful way. For me, this piece is a reminder that art can be found in the most unexpected places.