Sierkapitelen c. 1901

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof made this drawing, Sierkapitelen, with pencil on paper. It’s a study, a page filled with variations on a theme, each a slight shift in the design of ornamental capitals. Dijsselhof's lines are tentative, searching, like the architectural equivalent of musical scales. He’s feeling his way through form, the curls and curves, the weight and balance of each element. It's a study in rhythm, in the small variations that can make all the difference. Look closely at the bottom right – see that coil resting on two vertical lines? It’s so simple, almost childlike. Yet, it holds a certain elegance. This drawing reminds me of Sol LeWitt’s wall drawings, in their systematic exploration of form. Both invite us to see art as a process, an ongoing experiment. It's a reminder that art isn't about perfection, but about the journey of discovery.