Ontwerp voor een zilveren beker Possibly 1913

Editor: Here we have Mathieu Lauweriks' "Ontwerp voor een zilveren beker," possibly from 1913, rendered in ink, pencil, and drawing on paper. It looks very architectural, almost like a blueprint. How do we see Art Nouveau manifesting here, particularly thinking about design's place in society at that time? Curator: That’s a great observation. What immediately strikes me is how this drawing reveals Art Nouveau’s aspiration to democratize art. Consider the historical context: the Arts and Crafts movement and its critique of industrial production created fertile ground for Art Nouveau's emergence. Lauweriks, with this detailed design for a silver cup, seems to participate in a larger movement that sought to bring artistry into everyday life, elevating functional objects to the realm of art. What do you notice about the geometry? Editor: I see a lot of repeated geometric elements, particularly in the curves, but also in the construction lines used to plan the overall form of the cup. Was that common for art nouveau objects? Curator: Exactly! These recurring geometric shapes speak to a philosophy rooted in order and the idea of inherent beauty through proportion. Consider the societal context – there was a longing for order in an era of rapid industrialization and urbanization. Lauweriks integrates those forms into an object intended for daily use. The cup would become both functional and visually harmonious; reflecting a social desire to aesthetically uplift everyday life. But to what extent was that accessible? Editor: That's a really great point. Silverware was often expensive, reserved for wealthier people. Even with this effort toward democratization, objects like this were still fairly exclusive? Curator: Precisely. It brings to light the complexities inherent in these movements; the intent to democratize versus the realities of socio-economic access. I’m interested in thinking about how the intention to make well-designed objects widely accessible, often encountered these very real barriers. Editor: I didn't think about how social realities play such an integral role in shaping aesthetic movements! It makes me see this piece in a totally new light.