Twee ornamenten 1887 - 1924

Julie de Graag made these two ornament designs with graphite on paper at an unknown date. De Graag was a Dutch artist who worked in the early 20th century, a time when artists were looking for new ways to express themselves, moving away from traditional styles. Looking at these designs, you see flowing lines and symmetrical shapes which are typical of the Art Nouveau movement. This style was popular in Europe and valued craftsmanship and natural forms. The Rijksmuseum, where this work is housed, collects and preserves Dutch art and history. De Graag's designs may have been intended for architectural details, textiles, or other decorative objects. Artists often made such drawings as part of a larger movement to integrate art into everyday life, thus critiquing the institutionalized art world. To fully understand De Graag's work, we can examine the artistic trends and social values of her time through archival research and historical texts.