J.B. Aug. Kessler before 1900

Curator: We’re looking at “J.B. Aug. Kessler,” a drawing on paper, held here at the Rijksmuseum. Though undated, we believe it was created before 1900. Editor: You know, my first impression is... understated elegance. It's a quiet piece, almost like a whisper of a design. I find it restful. Curator: Indeed. It exemplifies the elegance often seen in decorative arts of the period, leaning into line work to create movement, balanced against a muted background. Editor: The contrast between the floral details and what seems like a woven canvas invites a sense of touch. I keep wanting to run my hand over the material and explore the raised textures that I’m imagining here. The composition draws you right in and holds you there. Does anyone know who Jean Baptiste August Kessler was? Curator: A significant figure. Kessler was a prominent Dutch businessman and one of the founders of the Royal Dutch Shell oil company. Editor: So, the drawing possibly provides a glimpse into Kessler’s more artistic and intimate side. Curator: Perhaps. The work emphasizes an approach of simplification while providing organic embellishment. I find that duality very powerful. The composition provides an almost mathematically pure approach to pictorial design. Editor: It reminds me how art offers an intriguing dance between what’s shown and what’s inferred, almost revealing another side of the creator himself. Curator: Precisely. In its execution we see both the practical consideration for space and form intertwined within something that speaks of unburdened creative thought. Editor: Overall, considering how simple the imagery is, its delicate beauty encourages you to linger a little longer, imagining it hanging on a wall or perhaps even adorning a gift or a book of verse. Curator: A beautiful reminder of the layers we find beneath surfaces. Editor: Yes, and even with such limited palette and composition, a celebration of visual delight.