Ontwerp voor kamerversiering: twee ornamentale panelen c. 1767 - 1823

Abraham Meertens created this ornamental design for two wall panels with pen and watercolor. At first glance, the arrangement strikes one as formally balanced and symmetrical, yet upon closer viewing the eye notes how the distribution of figurative ornamentation varies between the panels, lending each a distinct character within the overall decorative scheme. Observe how Meertens uses vertical lines to divide the space into distinct sections, creating a classical architectural framework. Within this structure, he intricately weaves organic and geometric motifs – urns, wreaths, and spiraling foliage. The delicate watercolor washes in muted greens, blues, and grays, enhancing the sophisticated lightness of the composition. This approach to interior design reflects the late 18th-century interest in neoclassicism, a style which sought to revive the aesthetics of ancient Greece and Rome. The symmetry, balanced proportions, and use of classical motifs evoke a sense of order and harmony. Note how these panels are not merely decorative; they embody a broader cultural aspiration to bring the values and forms of classical antiquity into the domestic sphere.