Gestileerde bloem in een vierkant c. 1901

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof made this sketch of a stylized flower in a square, using graphite on paper. The drawing is seemingly simple, but look closely at the materiality of the work. Dijsselhof employed a common medium, a graphite pencil on paper, to draft a design that appears to be for a decorative art object, challenging the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft. The linear marks of the graphite reveal the artist's process of experimentation, showcasing the geometric structure of the stylized flower. The square format encloses the organic form of the flower, merging geometry and nature. Considered as a design study, the drawing opens up questions about the labor and skill involved in the applied arts. It is an insight into the work processes that underpin the creation of functional or decorative objects in the broader context of art and design. Dijsselhof has imbued the sketch with a cultural significance that transcends its apparent simplicity.