Twee vogels 1896

This is 'Twee Vogels' – or ‘Two Birds’ – by Karel Petrus Cornelis de Bazel. Though undated, it was likely made between the late 19th and early 20th century. It’s a small, ornamental frieze block printed on paper. The block printing process requires carving a design into a material – historically wood, linoleum or, in this case, most likely a metal plate. Ink is then applied to the raised surface, and the design is transferred to paper under pressure. De Bazel’s frieze utilizes the repeating, mirror image motif of stylized birds facing each other with a shared central element. What’s interesting is how the method of production influences the aesthetic: the bold lines, the graphic quality, and the repetition speak to the industrial age. Block printing allowed for the relatively quick, affordable production of decorative elements. De Bazel's design reflects a wider social context of increasing industrialization and consumerism. By considering materials, making, and context, we understand the connection between ‘high’ art and design – and the social forces that shape them.