Ontwerp van een schrijfvoorbeeld: Den achtbarem unnd volgelartem (...) 1605

This pen drawing by Jan van de Velde I presents an elaborate writing sample, showcasing the calligrapher's skill through dense text and ornamental flourishes. The most striking feature is the profusion of spiraling tendrils and circular motifs that dominate the composition, framing and intertwining with the text. These spiraling forms evoke a sense of dynamic movement and energy, reminiscent of the natural world, like vines or the unfurling of leaves. The spiral, a universal symbol, appears across cultures from ancient labyrinths to Celtic art, often representing growth, evolution, and the cyclical nature of life. The continuous, flowing lines create a sense of infinity and connection, drawing the eye in and around the page. Consider the psychological impact of such repetition. The eye, in tracing these patterns, finds a certain comfort and rhythm, a visual echo of the repetitions found in nature and ritual. This design, then, is not merely decorative but engages us on a deeper level, tapping into our innate fascination with pattern, order, and the eternal return. The emotional effect is one of both complexity and harmony, where the chaos of individual lines resolves into a unified and balanced composition.