Getal 3 1904

Here's a small, square artwork called Getal 3, probably made with ink on paper. It was made by Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries. I like to imagine the artist hunched over this tiny little thing, so focused! It’s all about the number three, twisted into a design. It's very precise, with these swirling, decorative elements. They sort of remind me of Art Nouveau, that fancy, flowing style. I think he may have been part of a broader movement of artists and designers who were interested in making everyday things more beautiful. Making a number, something so simple and functional, into an object of art. What does it mean when we assign so much intention and care to the smallest things? How does the labor of the hand shape meaning? It gives me a new appreciation for the humble number three, that's for sure!