Ornamenten 1876 - 1924

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof created this pencil drawing called 'Ornamenten', which translates as 'Ornaments', and it now resides in the Rijksmuseum. We can consider Dijsselhof’s drawing as part of the wider Arts and Crafts movement in the Netherlands at the turn of the 20th century. This movement sought to resist industrialization and mass production through a revival of traditional crafts and an emphasis on beauty in everyday objects. Dijsselhof's drawing embodies this ethos through its intricate designs and hand-drawn quality. The sketch suggests a pattern that could be applied to various decorative arts, reflecting the movement's aim to integrate art into daily life. As art historians, we investigate design magazines, exhibition catalogues, and other printed matter from the period to understand the values that informed artistic choices like this one. We study the social conditions that shape artistic production and appreciate the role of art in challenging existing norms.