Ontwerp voor raam in het Stadhuis in Amsterdam before 1938

This stained glass window design was made by Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst, and I can only imagine what he was thinking when he made it. The composition feels crowded, and the angular forms create a claustrophobic feel. The people seem to be fighting one another, locked in a battle for control. The colours are drab and murky, browns and oranges punctuated by the odd flash of purple, which only adds to the unease. The artist's hand seems tentative, unsure of itself. Perhaps Holst was trying to convey the confusion and chaos of modern life. Or maybe he was simply struggling to find his own voice as an artist. Whatever the reason, this is a painting that stays with you long after you've left it. It’s the kind of piece that makes you think about the challenges we all face.