Ornamentele rand met duiven c. 1910

This decorative frieze with doves was made by Bernard Willem Wierink, using a technique called woodcut. The image is created by carving away the negative space around the design on a block of wood, and then inking the remaining raised surface. When pressed onto paper, the ink transfers, leaving a printed impression. The frieze showcases a pattern of stylized doves amid flowers. The choice of wood as a medium offers a tangible connection to craft traditions. Woodcut requires careful carving skills, which are different from the painterly approach to art making. Such prints were relatively accessible because they allowed for multiple impressions. Wierink’s choice of subject matter, such as doves as symbols of peace and love, speaks to a broader cultural interest in decorative arts that engage with themes of harmony and nature. The combination of hand-carved and reproducible design elements blurs the boundaries between unique artwork and functional design.