Brief aan Jan Veth Possibly 1893

This is a letter to Jan Veth written in 1893 by Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst, offering us a glimpse into the intimate world of artists at the turn of the century. Holst’s personal experience shapes this informal note, revealing the anxieties and comforts found in artistic communities. His handwriting carries a unique expression, as the letter speaks of relief and disappointment on receiving a letter from Veth. Holst then confides about his ill health, confessing that he feels unwell. He is tormented by nervous agitation. The emotional content of the letter, its confessions of illness and vulnerability, and the simple act of correspondence, all underscore the human element, and the social and emotional context, in which artistic expression is embedded. Holst's letter invites us to reflect on our own relationships and modes of communication, and to consider how these personal exchanges shape our understanding of the world around us.