Vijf voor- en achterkanten van juwelen 1663

Louis Cossin created this undated drawing of jewelry designs with pen and brown ink, now held at the Rijksmuseum. The drawing presents five frontal and rear views of jewelry pieces, each meticulously detailed. Notice how Cossin uses contrasting forms; some jewels overflow with floral motifs, while others are defined by geometric precision. Consider the interplay between organic and inorganic shapes. The floral designs evoke a sense of natural abundance, contrasting with the structured clarity of the geometric patterns. This juxtaposition might reflect broader tensions of the period, caught between the Baroque's exuberance and the Enlightenment's order. In this drawing, Cossin destabilizes conventional approaches to jewelry design by presenting both front and back views. This approach invites us to think about jewelry not just as objects of display, but also as constructed artifacts with hidden structures and complex forms.