Titelhoofd met pauwen 1893 - 1894

Editor: Here we have Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof's "Titelhoofd met pauwen," made between 1893 and 1894. It's a drawing, using pen and ink, very much in the Art Nouveau style. The symmetry is really striking, with the peacocks flanking the title. What draws your eye in this work? Curator: I see a piece deeply rooted in its time. Think about the late 19th century and the rise of industrial production. This drawing, made with relatively simple materials, embodies the ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement which countered mass production. Editor: How so? Curator: The deliberate, handcrafted nature of the pen and ink medium is important. It highlights the labor involved, and its starkness sets it apart from mechanized printing processes. This isn't just about representing peacocks; it's about the act of creation, pushing back against the alienation of labor during that period. Where do you think these were printed? Editor: Perhaps a small print shop, with the craft and care echoing Dijsselhof’s aesthetic? It makes the image seem less like a mass-produced poster and more like a unique, valuable artifact. Curator: Exactly. This piece, originally a poster, encourages a specific form of consumption - one that values artistry and mindful creation, not cheap replication. The social context becomes embedded within the materiality of the piece. So, do you think about the impact that the Arts and Crafts Movement have during the Belle Époque? Editor: I see your point. Looking at it this way reveals how this elegant drawing, beautiful as it is, is making a statement about how things are made, valued, and consumed. Curator: And understanding that material and process brings us closer to grasping the core values this piece embodies.