De aarde rond 1980

"De aarde rond", or "Around the Earth", is a color lithograph made by Harrie A. Gerritz in 1974. Gerritz was born in the Netherlands shortly after the Second World War. This print encapsulates the feeling of freedom that followed such a period of conflict. Feathers are arranged around an open sky suggesting flight, and a small bird is seen taking off into the open. The print is both abstract and representational, but the dark shades of blue create a somber mood which is hard to ignore. The simplicity with which the artist depicts nature invites us to contemplate our relationship to the natural world, and how we perceive our place in it. Gerritz has created a space for reflection; on freedom, nature, and the enduring human spirit. This artwork encourages us to find our own sense of liberation.