Ornament c. 1901

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof made this ornament sketch, date unknown, with what looks like graphite on paper. The artist's process is visible: lines loop and curve, suggesting an artist working and reworking the image. I’m drawn to the way the lines vary in weight and pressure. Look at how the artist uses different marks to create a sense of depth and movement. The curls on the left side of the piece almost appear to float on the page, while the vertical lines that take up the right side of the frame seem to have more weight and gravity. The sketch brings to mind the work of Gustav Klimt. Both artists were invested in pattern making and the decorative arts. But unlike Klimt, Dijsselhof seems less interested in perfection and more interested in the pure joy of mark making. It’s a reminder that art is not just about the finished product, but about the process of creation.