Proefdruk voor pagina uit Reinaert de Vos c. 1910

This page for Reinaert de Vos was proof printed by Bernard Willem Wierink, but we don't know exactly when. The terra cotta ink has a handmade quality, almost like folk art, that invites a sense of play. See how the red ink sits on the page: the pressed design creates a pattern of negative and positive space. A line of roosters struts along the bottom border, whilst a frieze of animals lounges along the top. They both look like they're gearing up for some mischief! It reminds me a little of the work of Walter Crane, an English artist known for his children's book illustrations and his intricate, stylized designs. Both Wierink and Crane share a love for detailed ornamentation and storytelling through images. Ultimately, this work is a reminder that art is a conversation, an exchange of ideas across time, a space where stories are retold and reimagined. It leaves you to decide what happens next.