Bloemrankmotief c. 1800

This floral scroll design, called "Bloemrankmotief," was made by Sasaya using graphite on paper. The drawing is a preliminary design or pattern, demonstrating Sasaya’s artistic process through the use of simple materials. The even lines suggest a steady hand, perhaps of a craftsman preparing the design for transfer to another medium like textile or ceramic. The repetitive floral and leaf motifs, linked by curving vines, might be intended for mass production, suggesting a connection to broader commercial systems. The drawing’s light touch is deceiving, as it would have been a critical step in the creation of more elaborate finished products, embedding labor and skill into an item for everyday use. The drawing challenges our traditional assumptions about the value of sketches, as works of art. It invites us to consider the unseen labor and creative processes behind the objects we consume daily.