Briefkaart aan Jan Veth Possibly 1891 - 1894

This is a postcard to Jan Veth by Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst. The pale card is dominated by precise calligraphic script, which is both visually appealing and semantically meaningful. Roland Holst plays with semiotics and the structuralist idea that language and visual elements are systems of signs. The handwritten message, postal stamps, and address create a formal structure. Each element has a specific location and contributes to the card's overall composition. The card's formal arrangement communicates effectively because it uses cultural codes. The stamp and postal markings serve not only as functional components but also as visual elements that balance the composition. Their circular forms and muted colors contrast with the linear script, adding depth. The card functions as an exploration of communication, representation, and the artist's engagement with broader philosophical concerns about language and meaning. Ultimately, it is the formal structure that makes the postcard a compelling and thought-provoking piece of art.