Ontwerpen voor glas-in-loodvensters c. 1901

These designs for stained-glass windows were made by Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof in the Netherlands, using graphite on paper. Looking at the tentative lines, you can almost feel Dijsselhof’s hand moving across the page, testing out shapes and patterns. It's like watching the thought process unfold, a real glimpse into the process of art-making. The designs themselves are pretty cool. There’s a mix of geometric shapes and curving lines. Notice the way the light catches the graphite, giving it a kind of shimmering quality. It really makes you think about how these designs would come to life in colored glass, with the sun streaming through them. The way Dijsselhof plays with repetition reminds me a little of Hilma af Klint. Both artists were interested in using geometric forms to create a sense of order and harmony, though, of course, Klint was working with some seriously vibrant color. It’s a reminder that art is always a conversation across time, artists building on each other’s ideas.