Griekse orde (Orde van George I), ontvangen door Willem Drees before 1954

Here's an audio guide script, written for Amy Sillman: This Greek medal of the Order of George I, was presented to Willem Drees by an anonymous artist. The geometry of the medals! It’s so precise and ordered, so unlike the messy, intuitive process of painting. But look closer, and there’s a similar type of problem-solving involved, a push and pull between intention and execution. I wonder, did the maker struggle to get those tiny details just right? Imagine holding that little brush, or whatever tool they used, coaxing the enamel into those tiny compartments. It's not unlike when I am building up layers of paint, scraping back, adding more – trying to find that balance, that harmony. And the color palette, such a refined selection of red, white, and gold. It reminds me of the minimalist works of artists like Agnes Martin, where a few carefully chosen hues can evoke a whole world of emotion. It’s all so controlled, so precise. You can feel the artist’s hand, guided by tradition and craftsmanship, yet striving for a personal touch, like all of us.