Broche c. 1908 - 1911

Lodewijk Willem van Kooten made this 'Broche', with metal. It's like van Kooten was doodling in gold! There’s a freedom in the way the shapes are crafted, each one distinct and a little off, like a handmade font, and then the gorgeous sapphire in the middle pulls your eye. Up close, the etched lines create a delicate texture that catches the light just so. The gold isn't flat, it has dimension, a quality that makes you want to reach out and trace the design with your finger. The translucent enamel backing that the etched lines sit upon, adds a layer of depth, making the pattern almost float. The whole piece has a real vitality, a kind of scrappy elegance that reminds me of someone like Louise Bourgeois, or even a Cy Twombly sculpture, but on a tiny scale! What does it all mean? Who knows! Isn't it great?