Hoofdstuktitel met ornamenten en vignet 1923

This title page with ornaments and vignette was designed by Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries. It’s dated October 19, 1923. The design is monochromatic, a palette of black ink on off-white paper. Look at how each element is carefully rendered, a testament to craft, skill, and the artist’s vision. The surface is smooth, but look closely, and you will notice slight variations in ink density. The ornament at the top has a symmetrical grace with its delicate leaf-like details, while the shield below houses an intricate landscape scene, a miniature world contained within its borders. I especially like the flourishes that frame the lettering, curving lines creating movement and a sense of understated playfulness. I am reminded of the graphic work of Hilma af Klint, whose diagrams also explore organic shapes and symbolic language. Both artists create art that invites us to look beyond the surface and consider the rich interplay of meaning and form.