Ornamenten 1876 - 1924

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof created this study of ornaments with graphite on paper. Dijsselhof was a Dutch designer, printmaker, painter, and teacher. He worked at the intersection of the decorative and fine arts, a phenomenon that was closely linked to the institutional history of museums. During the 19th century, museums played an increasingly important role in shaping public taste. Dijsselhof responded to the demand for stylish design by combining fine art with design. This blurring of boundaries was part of the Arts and Crafts movement, a cultural phenomenon that emphasized the value of craftsmanship, and the importance of design in everyday life. To better understand Dijsselhof's aesthetic choices, it helps to examine periodicals, exhibition catalogs, and design theory of the period. By viewing this drawing in its cultural context, we appreciate how artists like Dijsselhof, consciously or unconsciously, participated in the dialogue on art's purpose and position within society.