Ornament met plantmotief c. 1916

Reijer Stolk made this plant motif ornament with pencil on paper. The lines are all hatched in the same direction, a kind of shading that flattens the image and gives it an interesting graphic quality. Look closely, and you can see how the pressure of the pencil varies, creating a sense of depth and volume within the leaves and petals. It’s like Stolk is feeling his way through the form, letting the pencil lead him. The texture of the paper also plays a role here, catching the graphite and adding a subtle graininess to the image. The decision to leave parts of the drawing unfinished adds an element of openness, suggesting that the creative process is just as important as the final product. This drawing reminds me of the work of Gustav Klimt, who also incorporated ornamental patterns into his paintings. Both artists share a love for intricate detail and a willingness to experiment with abstraction. Ornament met plantmotief invites us to appreciate the beauty of simple forms and the power of the artist’s hand.