Ontwerp voor raam in het Noordertransept in de Dom te Utrecht c. 1934

Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst created this design for a window in the North transept of Utrecht Cathedral using chalk and graphite. The somber tones, primarily browns and grays, might initially evoke a sense of solemnity, but the interplay of geometric forms offers a dynamic visual experience. The composition is structured around abstract shapes reminiscent of trumpets, distributed across the picture plane. Holst employs line to divide the space into irregular sections, almost like a stained-glass window waiting to be filled with color. This technique creates a tension between representation and abstraction, questioning the viewer’s perception. The use of line and form in this design can be seen as a commentary on the very nature of representation itself. Is it possible to capture the essence of an object or idea through purely abstract means? Holst’s design challenges us to consider the limits and possibilities inherent in the act of artistic creation.