Ontwerp voor een opdrachtblad voor een album voor dr. J. Peters Jr. 1919

Editor: Here we have "Design for a presentation sheet for an album for Dr. J. Peters Jr." created in 1919 by Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries. It’s a pencil drawing on paper, showcasing geometric shapes with what appears to be an Art Nouveau style. I am immediately drawn to the gridded effect underlying the more decorative elements. It's interesting to see that structural component so visibly. What's your interpretation of this piece? Curator: It strikes me as an object that speaks to the institutionalization of both art and medicine at the time. We see art shifting toward a public role. Note how the Art Nouveau style is being applied to something intended not for personal consumption but as a kind of public presentation piece. It’s also fascinating how the rigid geometric grid interacts with the flowing organic motifs. What could that contrast suggest? Editor: Perhaps the grid represents the rational, scientific approach of the medical field, while the Art Nouveau elements symbolize a more humanistic, artistic appreciation? Curator: Exactly! And consider how this object might have functioned. Album presentation was not just personal. This drawing represents the institution of medicine solidifying a visual language for professional success. Consider how De Vries, known for architectural designs, is contributing to that professional branding. Do you notice any specific iconography, like the rooster? Editor: I do! And a little rose shape, maybe? They seem incorporated as heraldic devices almost… Curator: Yes, and what do those symbols evoke, considering Dr. Peters' profession and the context of a presentation? This connects imagery with socio-political ideals of the time. What can that tell us? Editor: It makes me wonder about the specific public this presentation sheet was aimed at. Was it meant for other doctors, or perhaps for the broader community that Dr. Peters served? Curator: Precisely! So, through this design, De Vries isn’t just creating art. He's constructing a specific narrative around Dr. Peters's social standing and professional contributions. It showcases how even seemingly simple design elements played a role in shaping perceptions and solidifying societal roles. Editor: That is really fascinating, viewing the art as not just an aesthetic object but as an element embedded within social structures. Thanks so much!