Bandontwerp voor: Louis Couperus, Extaze: een boek van geluk, 1894 before 1894

This is Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst’s 1894 book cover design for Louis Couperus's novel, Extaze: een boek van geluk, made with pen and ink. During the late 19th century, Dutch literature was undergoing a transformation, and Couperus was one of the writers at the forefront of the "Movement of Eighty," which advocated for aestheticism and individualism. It was a time of great social change, with evolving ideas about sexuality, morality, and the role of women in society. Holst's design, with its stylized plant, mirrors the themes explored in "Extaze", and stands apart from traditional representations of women at the time. The plant reaches upward, suggesting growth, spirituality, and the pursuit of happiness, themes found within Couperus's writing. This book cover serves not just as an aesthetic object, but as a cultural artifact that reflects the shifting sands of identity, gender, and society in the late 19th century. It asks us to consider how art can reflect evolving societal issues and personal stories.