Ornamenten met bladeren 1876 - 1924

This study of leaf ornamentation was made by Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof, probably at the turn of the century, using pencil on paper. While the materials are simple, and swiftly handled, this drawing opens a window onto the decorative arts at a key moment of transition. Dijsselhof was interested in craft traditions, particularly those of the so-called ‘primitive’ cultures of Indonesia, then under Dutch colonial rule. His sensitivity to these forms of making also extended to an embrace of the Arts and Crafts movement, with its emphasis on handwork. We might see in this drawing an attitude not dissimilar to that of William Morris: a desire to ennoble life through surrounding oneself with beautiful things. But there is also the larger political context of colonialism to be considered, and the labor required to obtain the source materials and inspiration for these designs.