Ornament 1876 - 1924

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof created this study, titled Ornament, with pencil on paper. Notice how the design emerges from the paper's surface through the interplay of delicate lines. The composition features a stylized form that seems almost botanical, with curving lines that suggest growth and organic development. The artist's use of light and shadow, indicated by subtle variations in line weight, adds depth and volume to the design. Dijsselhof was involved in the Dutch Arts and Crafts movement, which emphasized the integration of art into everyday life, promoting the idea of the 'total work of art.' This philosophy sought to break down the traditional hierarchy between fine arts and applied arts, advocating for artists to design everything from furniture to textiles, thereby elevating the aesthetic quality of the domestic environment. Dijsselhof's Ornament embodies this spirit, presenting a design that could be adapted across various media. The drawing exemplifies how formalism can intersect with cultural movements, as seen through Dijsselhof's commitment to integrating art and life through design.