Studies 1876 - 1924

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof created this study with graphite on paper, revealing a pattern of natural forms intertwined with geometric structures. On the left, we see a vertical arrangement reminiscent of a vine or a climbing plant. Yet, it is intersected by grid-like structures. These motifs remind us of the duality between nature and artifice, echoing ancient garden designs where wild growth is tamed by human order. The presence of these elements, reaching back to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and recurring through the Renaissance, speaks to our enduring dialogue with nature. Consider, too, the cluster of fruit or floral shapes on the right. They suggest abundance, fertility, and the cyclical rhythm of life. Such symbols appear in countless forms across epochs, from ancient Roman frescoes to the still-life paintings of the Dutch Golden Age, each time imbued with layers of cultural and personal meaning. It is as though the artist is tapping into a collective memory. These studies embody a constant interplay between organic and constructed elements. They remind us of the subconscious drives to understand the natural world through the lens of human intellect.