Vlakken met korenbloemen, anjers en pauwenveren before 1897

This drawing, titled 'Vlakken met korenbloemen, anjers en pauwenveren', presents a study in contrasting forms and textures. The composition is neatly divided into rectangular and curvilinear sections, setting up a visual dialogue between organic and geometric shapes. In the upper left, we see a densely packed field of cornflowers and carnations, their delicate petals rendered in meticulous detail. This contrasts sharply with the stylized peacock feathers arranged in a semi-circular arc. The feathers, with their iconic ‘eye’ patterns, introduce a strong element of visual rhythm. Below, a frieze of smaller blossoms and foliage offers a softer, more undulating pattern. The artist seems interested in how repetition and variation can create visual interest. The peacock feathers, for instance, are not identical, but their repeated form creates a sense of structured artifice. What might this tell us about the artist's exploration of nature versus design? It invites ongoing interpretation of how we perceive beauty and order in the world.