Romaans bandmotief c. 1890 - 1922

This ‘Romaans bandmotief’ or Romanesque ribbon motif was made by Johanna van de Kamer, using pencil and watercolour. The process is clear to see; it's all about layering semi-transparent washes. The result is a beautiful, almost mechanical, design which is very soothing to look at. The leaves sit snugly within the banded areas of the design, which alternates between two slightly different shades of leafy green. Zooming in, you can see the textures, layers and little imperfections that give the piece its charm. There is an undeniable handmade quality to it. The darker areas seem to be ink, but could also be watercolour. These two tones work in dynamic harmony. The flat, decorative nature of this work reminds me of the designs of William Morris. Like Morris, Van de Kamer was interested in pattern design. Her approach is very different, but the result is equally compelling. These designs have an amazing power to keep us looking and thinking.