Afdrukken van bladeren 1837 - 1921

Pierre Joseph Hubert Cuypers made these leaf prints using paper and ink, likely in the late 19th century. The process is simple: leaves are inked and pressed onto paper, creating a direct transfer of their form. But it’s precisely this simplicity that interests me. Cuypers, an architect known for his role in revitalizing Gothic Revival architecture in the Netherlands, here engages in a practice that aligns more closely with craft traditions. The directness of the printmaking underscores the inherent qualities of the leaves themselves: their delicate veining, the textures of their surfaces, their unique shapes. The technique democratizes the aesthetic experience, making art from everyday natural forms. It invites us to consider the beauty inherent in the mundane, challenging conventional hierarchies between high art and the more accessible, process-oriented world of craft. This humble work reminds us that artistic expression can be found in the simplest materials and processes.