Ontwerp met twee rechthoeken en ornamenten 1884 - 1952

Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries made this design with pencil and possibly watercolor. The grid is the base from which it all begins. This reliance on gridded paper emphasizes the importance of structure and precision in design work. There's a lot of labor that goes into translating the initial vision to the finished piece. The repetitive curves of the ornament below are drawn freehand, but laid out according to the grid’s geometry, in an attempt to bring order to natural form. The linear quality of the design makes us think about its social context. It probably served as a preparatory sketch for a larger scale project - perhaps a wallpaper design, architectural detail, or an element in the decorative arts. The use of precise lines and geometric forms reflects a desire to bring order and control into the making process. Paying attention to these details transforms our understanding of the artwork. It makes us question the distinctions between high art and craft.