Honderd familiewapens before 1901

Johannes Evert van Leeuwen created this compendium of heraldry, 'Honderd familiewapens', sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. What strikes me is the systematic yet playful approach, echoing the way artists compile and remix visual information to spark fresh ideas. Each shield is rendered with a meticulous hand, the colours are muted and earthy, like aged tapestries. The textures are flat yet rich, inviting you to lean in and examine the details. Look at the shield on the third row down, seventh column across, the mermaid. She's a lovely motif and a wonderful example of the artist's fluid linework, which brings a sense of movement to the otherwise static form. This piece reminds me of the work of Hilma af Klint, particularly her diagrams of spiritual and philosophical systems. Both artists share a fascination with organising and visually representing abstract concepts, though one works with esoteric imagery and the other with family history. Like all great art, this piece remains open to interpretation, inviting us to find our own meanings within its carefully constructed framework.