Proefdruk voor pagina uit Reinaert de Vos c. 1910

This is a page proof, made by Bernard Willem Wierink, for Reinaert de Vos. Look at how the warm, golden ink creates a border of stylized birds and foliage, framing the text and a small illustration. This monochromatic approach – the artist limiting themselves in terms of colour – emphasizes form and texture. See how the patterns are built up from small, repeated shapes? It reminds me of printmaking, where each mark is carefully placed and considered. The small fox illustration, centered below the script, seems to emerge from the shadows, the figure defined through the density of the marks. The border motifs resonate with Aubrey Beardsley's distinctive style, though they carry a somewhat darker, folk-inspired quality. The overall composition, with its integration of text and image, speaks to the rich history of the illuminated manuscript, while embracing a modern sensibility. These various historical and cultural references make the viewing experience even more engaging, don't you think?