Cirkel met bladeren en heilige harten 1895

Mathieu Lauweriks created this print titled 'Circle with Leaves and Sacred Hearts' using woodcut techniques. The work reflects the aesthetic and spiritual interests of early 20th-century Dutch art. Lauweriks was deeply involved with Theosophy and theories of geometric proportion, blending these interests with his art. The sacred hearts, stylized leaves, and geometric patterns suggest a search for underlying universal forms. Made in the Netherlands, this print would have been produced in a cultural climate grappling with industrialization and modernity. Many artists and intellectuals turned to spiritual and esoteric ideas, seeking alternatives to materialism. Studying Lauweriks’ involvement with architectural theory and journals can further illuminate the symbolic language he employs here. Ultimately, this print shows us that art's meaning is always tied to the cultural and intellectual contexts in which it is made and received.