Ontwerpen voor een ex libris 1876 - 1924

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof sketched these ex libris designs with pencil on lined paper. These aren't traditional artistic materials, but rather ordinary tools from everyday life. Dijsselhof explored how letters could morph into motifs. By interlacing initials, he crafted emblems that straddle the line between text and image. The inherent qualities of graphite, like its potential for both bold lines and subtle shading, played a key role in his making. The creative process here involves iterative sketches of how simple letterforms can transform into striking and symbolic shapes. Dijsselhof was influenced by both the Arts and Crafts movement and the ornamental style of Dutch symbolism; two movements that blurred the boundaries between fine art, craft and design. This simple drawing on paper represents the meeting point between design, traditional craftsmanship, and the fine arts. It challenges the distinction between these disciplines and gives insight into Dijsselhof’s artistic method.