Ontwerp voor kostuum voor Deiopeia 1910 - 1918

This watercolor and pencil artwork, "Ontwerp voor kostuum voor Deiopeia," was created by Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst. The somber color palette, dominated by dark tones, lends a solemn atmosphere. The figure, a woman, is draped in a pale blue gown, a stark contrast to the nebulous backdrop. Vertical lines are established through the folds of her dress and cascading fringe, which direct our gaze from the top to the base of the work. Holst employs a shallow depth of field, compressing the space and intensifying the figure's presence. The composition’s vertical orientation, combined with the figure’s introspective pose, cultivates a mood of contemplative isolation. The gown, adorned with fine beads, adds texture and complexity, which might reference the semiotic codes of theatrical costume design. Holst's attention to detail invites the viewer to explore the symbolic interplay between surface and depth.