Frontons c. 1901

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof made this sketch of frontons using graphite on paper, and it’s currently held at the Rijksmuseum. Dijsselhof was a Dutch designer, and this drawing likely comes from his work in the decorative arts. The orderly lines of the architectural structures are complicated by the textured page and Dijsselhof’s hand-drawn approach. Consider how the artist may have been thinking of his designs in terms of fine art, rather than in terms of functionality. This drawing can be understood in the context of the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th century. We can use exhibition catalogues and archival sources to understand Dijsselhof’s involvement in decorative arts exhibitions, as well as his relationship to institutions like the Rijksmuseum. This helps us to evaluate how Dijsselhof saw himself in relation to the history of art and design.