Sierpapier met Florentijnse lis 1936 - 1938

This is Sierpapier met Florentijnse lis, a wallpaper design of floral patterns made by Wijnand Otto Jan Nieuwenkamp. The process of creating a repeated pattern like this is all about rhythm and balance. The soft green backdrop gives way to the repeating Florentine Lily motifs, dancing across the surface. Think about the material; it's just paper, yet it creates a whole world. The texture is smooth and the color is flat. This emphasizes the design rather than the hand of the artist, making it ideal for mass production. My eyes focus on one floral motif and then drift to the next, creating a sensation of movement. It feels meditative, almost hypnotic. Wallpaper, for me, always brings up William Morris, who was passionate about making art accessible to everyone, much like Nieuwenkamp seems to be doing here. Ultimately, the beauty of art lies in its ability to spark conversation and allow for multiple interpretations.