Toegangsbewijs voor de tentoonstellingen van de Vakschool voor de Typografie c. 1910

This is Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries's "Toegangsbewijs voor de tentoonstellingen van de Vakschool voor de Typografie," a what looks like an admission ticket to a typography exhibition, made with a delicate hand in ink and pencil. The whole piece operates with simple geometries: squares, rectangles, and lines, creating a framework of text within a grid. The blue ink is applied with precision, giving the lettering a clean, almost stenciled appearance, while the subtle graphite under-drawing adds a layer of texture, a kind of ghostliness to the composition. The contrast between the cool blues and warm grays gives it a quiet, contemplative mood. Look closely at the corners of the frame where the simple squares become little towers, a lovely little detail that lifts the whole piece. There’s something about the way de Vries balances precision with the handmade that makes it feel so inviting. You know, it reminds me a little of the work of Paul Klee, particularly in its playful use of geometric forms and its exploration of the relationship between text and image. And just like Klee, this little ticket invites us to see the world in new and unexpected ways.