Ontwerp voor raam in het Noordertransept in de Dom te Utrecht c. 1934

Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst created this design for a window in the Utrecht Cathedral, rendered in gouache and graphite. Observe the interplay of light and dark, creating a sense of emergence. The lower section, fragmented and cavernous, gives way to a vertical strike of radiant light. This recalls the ancient motif of the 'axis mundi,' a symbol connecting the earthly and the divine. We see its echoes in Egyptian obelisks, Romanesque church portals, and even the Tree of Life in various mythologies. Above, the fragmented orbs suggest a celestial realm, a constellation perhaps, evoking the cosmos. Consider the psychological impact: the light piercing through darkness can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual awakening or revelation, mirroring our deepest subconscious desires for understanding. It is a powerful symbol that transcends cultural boundaries, resonating with our collective memory. The symbol has resurfaced in various forms, evolved, and taken on new meanings in differing historical contexts.