Sluitvignet met twee libellen 1893 - 1894

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof designed this ‘Sluitvignet met twee libellen’ or Tailpiece with Two Dragonflies, probably as a woodcut, at the turn of the 20th century. The Art Nouveau style is expressed through Dijsselhof’s stylised rendering of the dragonflies. The Rijksmuseum, where this tailpiece now resides, reflects changing attitudes towards art and design. Previously focused on ‘high art,’ institutions like the Rijksmuseum began collecting and exhibiting graphic design, recognizing its cultural value. This shift mirrored broader social changes. The Dutch economy was flourishing, and there was an increased demand for printed materials. Artists like Dijsselhof contributed to a growing visual culture, creating designs for books, advertisements, and decorative arts. It reflects a society that was becoming increasingly visually literate and design-conscious. To understand the tailpiece fully, it is important to research the social and economic factors influencing Dutch art and design at the time. Exploring archival sources like design journals, exhibition catalogs, and business records will help to further understand the artist's intention.