Ontwerp voor de boekband van Louis Couperus' Metamorfoze 1868 - 1928

Jan Toorop made this design for the cover of Louis Couperus' novel "Metamorphosis" with crayon and pencil, possibly in the 1890s, when the book was first published. As a key figure in Dutch Symbolism and Art Nouveau, Toorop aimed to capture the novel's themes of transformation and psychological depth through visual codes rather than literal illustration. The interwoven lines and organic motifs reflect the influence of Javanese art, a nod to Toorop's own Indonesian heritage, and a growing interest in non-Western sources within European art circles at the time. The Rijksmuseum, as an institution, plays a role in preserving and interpreting such cross-cultural artistic exchanges, helping us understand how Dutch artists engaged with broader global influences. By studying Toorop's personal letters, the socio-political context of the Dutch art scene, and the cultural discourse around Symbolism, we can gain a deeper understanding of how this cover design challenges or reinforces the artistic conventions of its time.