Ontwerp voor een menu van de maaltijd op 1 September, ter gelegenheid van het tiende Nederlandsch Taal en Letterkundig Congres 1868

Johan Philip Koelman made this menu design in 1862, using graphite on paper. It was made to celebrate the tenth Dutch Language and Literature Congress. What strikes me most about this drawing is the contrast between its classical allegorical imagery, and its function as a disposable item used for a single meal. We see the goddess Aurora riding in her chariot, a symbol of dawn and new beginnings, rendered with delicate lines and shading. The graphite allows for subtle gradations and fine details, evoking a sense of depth and movement. However, this wasn't intended as a precious work of art. It was a design that would have been reproduced, likely through lithography or some other printmaking technique. The drawing stands as a testament to the skill involved in ephemeral designs. It challenges our notions of value and permanence in art, reminding us that even the most fleeting objects can be imbued with artistic intention and meaning.