Oost-Indische kers 1892 - 1940

Here we see Henri Verstijnen’s “Oost-Indische kers”, a drawing of a bunch of flowers. The flowers and leaves are organized in a tight, almost geometric configuration. The contrasting use of black and white flattens the image, emphasizing shape and form over depth. The radiating veins of the leaves and the stark outlines of the petals create a semiotic system; they direct our eyes and structure our understanding of the composition. The negative space is as crucial as the filled areas, each defining the other in a play of presence and absence. This piece destabilizes our conventional understanding of botanical illustration; it is less a study of nature and more an exploration of pattern and contrast. It is a space where representation meets abstraction, and challenges the viewer to see beyond the surface.