Cactusbloem 1920

Curator: At first glance, I find myself thinking how much this looks like a blooming night. It's stark, isn't it? Striking contrast. Editor: We’re looking at "Cactusbloem," which translates to Cactus Flower, created in 1920 by Julie de Graag. This ink drawing, housed here at the Rijksmuseum, possesses a distinct Art Nouveau flair mingled with symbolic elements. Curator: Mmm, "night" wasn't quite right... There's a ritual quality about this, something very composed, almost like an invitation or perhaps the symbol from some strange heraldry. Not an immediate invitation... Editor: It’s interesting that you see ritual in it, and that interpretation certainly holds weight considering de Graag’s engagement with symbolism, a prevalent movement at the time where artists conveyed subjective emotions and ideas through imagery. This work also hints at the growing public awareness and interest in botany and natural sciences of the time, and how this manifested in art. Curator: Exactly. There's this incredible precision, an almost architectural feel. It is not trying to be just a flower. What captivates me is the choice of stark ink. Is this typical of her work? It amplifies that starkness, the hidden or coded quality. The drawing could feel a bit chilly if it were larger but, with the drawing being quite small it has a different effect. Editor: De Graag often favored the medium of printmaking, embracing simplified forms and strong lines similar to woodcuts, though she was also quite experimental. The piece underscores Art Nouveau's fascination with both nature and stylized design, evident in the symmetrical arrangement and decorative border. What is particularly interesting is how it resonates with larger discussions around abstraction in the Netherlands in the early twentieth century, and how women artists actively took part in those discussions. Curator: It makes me want to distill some strange perfume or perhaps brew a potion! Thank you for shining light on this work, its history. And herstory, particularly. Editor: And thank you for sharing that vibrant imaginative spark; together, it seems we've captured the very essence of this compelling drawing.