Tafel rustend op vier overhoeks geplaatste poten c. 1924

Here we see a table made of wood with four crosswise placed legs made by Hendrik Wouda. This table exemplifies a shift in early 20th-century design away from ornamentation towards functionalism, reflecting broader socio-economic changes. Made in the Netherlands, likely between the wars, its clean lines contrast with earlier styles, aligning with the Werkbund and De Stijl movements. These movements sought to integrate art and industry. Wouda's design likely critiqued the elaborate styles favored by the elite, promoting instead democratic design principles where functionality and affordability were key. It embodies the ethos of providing well-designed objects for everyday use, challenging traditional class-based access to aesthetic goods. Understanding this table involves examining Dutch design history, modernist manifestos, and the socio-political context of post-WWI Europe. It highlights how design can act as a commentary on social values and institutional practices of its time.