Biefkaart aan A. van der Boom Possibly 1926 - 1930

Curator: We’re now viewing "Briefkaart aan A. van der Boom," a mixed-media drawing and calligraphy piece on paper, possibly created between 1926 and 1930 by Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst. Editor: It looks very intimate, like a handwritten note rapidly sent from one friend to another. The pale tan paper with dark, angular lettering and the cancelled stamp suggests immediacy. Curator: The compositional balance stems from its asymmetrical organization of text blocks versus empty space. Roland Holst contrasted crisp handwriting with looser cursive styles; it is a fascinating duality in text structure. Editor: The calligraphy is really the centerpiece, its deliberate forms and careful flourishes creating visual layers of symbolic language. It’s fascinating how such everyday materials gain iconic status. A physical link between sender and receiver. Curator: Exactly. The tension comes from Roland Holst juxtaposing the conventions of standardized postal communication – printed card, postage – with personalized hand inscription. Editor: Seeing that handwritten message evokes nostalgia, a kind of wistful longing for that tangible era, before the efficient but often sterile digital exchange we’re used to today. Did he write anything especially interesting, though? Curator: The tone conveys warmth and affection. Although some words are indecipherable, he does seem to express fondness for small gestures and appreciation of another, signed off in endearment before concluding it with the statement ‘Back home’. It seems highly personal in sentiment. Editor: The cancelled postage even enhances the overall composition. This humble postcard reveals how layers of personal contact become a type of shared symbolism, especially over time. Curator: Yes, viewing “Briefkaart aan A. van der Boom” makes me recall the emotional weight intrinsic to simple structural forms when combined intentionally. Editor: Ultimately, through symbolic handwriting, Holst allows for a timeless intimate gesture beyond its intended function, or time.