Ex Libris van J.C.A. Oskam 1915

Editor: This is an interesting bookplate. It’s titled "Ex Libris van J.C.A. Oskam," made in 1915 by Lodewijk Schelfhout. It seems to be a print made with engraving and ink on paper. It's tiny but it feels really weighty, almost like a miniature gothic cathedral, perhaps! What strikes you most about it? Curator: Ah, yes, a little monument to learning! You nailed it with the gothic cathedral vibe; that pointed arch is no accident. It's a deeply symbolic choice reflecting not just medievalism, which was a big trend then, but also the weight of knowledge. Notice how the cathedral towers rise from the pages of the open book, a kind of fusion of sacred space and the printed word. What do you think the chess pieces guarding the book suggest? Editor: That's so interesting! The cathedral seemed obvious in retrospect, but I love your take on its symbolic significance. And I hadn’t really considered the chess pieces – are they about defending knowledge or something? Curator: Possibly! Or maybe they are a quiet meditation on strategy, thoughtfulness and the game of understanding. Perhaps Oskam, the book's owner, saw himself as a player in the world of ideas? The use of line, creating these crisp geometric forms, gives it a very solid, almost architectural feel, doesn't it? And the "Ex Libris" inscription itself— it all points to the personal library as a hallowed, fortified place. Don't you think? Editor: I do! It definitely feels more than just a nameplate. The geometric elements definitely do add to that feeling of order, of a system of knowledge. Curator: Exactly! It’s a tiny treasure that speaks volumes, proving that even the smallest artwork can be a portal to larger ideas. Thanks for bringing your sharp eye to this, what at first appears, simple engraving. Editor: Thank you for opening my eyes! Now I see how much this bookplate communicates, it really puts the idea of a personal library into perspective.