Blanco handtekeningenblad met vlinders 1884 - 1952

Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries made this drawing, Blanco handtekeningenblad met vlinders, sometime in the early 20th century. It's a study, probably in pencil, for a signature sheet, adorned with motifs of butterflies. The wings have been meticulously, symmetrically composed, then framed by scrolls and tendrils. It’s like de Vries is capturing a moment of potential, a space ready to be filled with names, memories, promises. I can imagine him, bent over his desk, refining these shapes, trying to strike a balance between ornament and function, stillness and animation. There's a quiet optimism in this piece, a sense of anticipation. De Vries, like many artists, was clearly in dialogue with nature. He was also in conversation with the traditions of design and illustration. Artists are always exchanging ideas across time, riffing on each other's creativity. For me, this sheet evokes a feeling of hope.