Brief aan Joop Sjollema Possibly 1934

Curator: What an intriguing artifact! This is "Brief aan Joop Sjollema," a letter possibly penned in 1934 by Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst, now residing in the Rijksmuseum collection. The piece consists of ink on paper, a personal correspondence captured in beautiful script. Editor: My first impression? It feels intimate, like peering into someone’s private thoughts. The handwritten script dances across the page, full of personality, a stark contrast to our digital age, somehow melancholy. Curator: Indeed. Holst, known for his socialist leanings and dedication to craft, likely considered the materiality of even a simple letter. The paper, the ink—chosen perhaps for their availability and durability— speak to the everyday realities of artistic production at the time. The production of this item. Editor: Absolutely. I wonder about the paper itself, the watermark (if any), and the texture. Was it a conscious choice reflecting the letter's contents? The ink’s flow hints at a favored pen, a familiar extension of Holst's hand, translating thoughts directly to tangible form. It really draws me into a relationship between creator and recipient. Curator: And don’t forget the social context. Letters were a vital form of communication. The handwriting becomes more than just words. In fact it’s evidence of a slow, considered exchange quite unlike the instant messaging we use today. Holst carefully considered his words here. Editor: It is very different. It seems that the imperfections enhance it; a blot here, a scratch there; make the message profoundly human. What were his emotions at this time? Anxiety? Exuberance? These show and seep through the letter. It feels like one single still of frozen action. Curator: That’s a wonderful way to put it. This letter reminds us that even the most quotidian objects hold stories and connect us to the past in tangible ways. Materiality of paper and ink and process becomes as much a narrative device. Editor: Right? Now I’m daydreaming about owning this, writing my deepest, darkest secrets using an old-fashioned fountain pen. What could be so cool, so dramatic and old Hollywood?! It has been great exploring this with you, too.