Brief aan Willem Bogtman Possibly 1924 - 1929

This letter was written by Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst to Willem Bogtman, probably in 1924. It's funny, because when I look at this letter, I think about how writing, like painting, is a process of layering and mark-making. I love the density of the handwriting, the way the lines of text build up like layers of paint. The dark ink on the light paper creates a real sense of depth, almost like an etching. See how some words are bolder, darker? It's as if the writer is pressing harder on the pen at those moments, emphasizing certain ideas or emotions. It reminds me a little of Cy Twombly's scribbled paintings, where the act of writing becomes a kind of abstract expression. Both artists embrace the messiness and imperfection of the hand. It’s the evidence of a human presence, a record of thought and feeling made visible.