Initiaal R 1904

Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries created this tiny Initiaal R with something very fine, like a pen and ink. It's cool how even within the clear boundaries of a square, the letter ‘R’ twists and curls, sprouting organic, floral-like forms. I wonder what De Vries was thinking when he made this? Was he just doodling, letting his hand wander, or was he carefully planning each little curl and dot? Maybe a bit of both, right? I love how it plays with figure and ground, the ‘R’ itself solid and bold, yet softened by those delicate, almost whimsical flourishes. It reminds me of the work of other artists obsessed with letters, like Cy Twombly, who turned writing into wild, gestural marks. This little initial is much more controlled, but I sense a similar spirit—a love for the sheer joy of mark-making. It's all about how a line can be both precise and free, how a simple letter can become a garden.