Monogram en vignet met masker 1895 - 1896

This is Mathieu Lauweriks’s 'Monogram en vignet met masker', a work of graphic art made with an unidentifiable material. Here, Lauweriks contrasts the linear precision of the monogram with the expressive carving of the mask. Note the structure of the letter forms: they're contained within a rigid circular frame, yet they exhibit organic, almost plant-like tendrils. This tension reflects Lauweriks’s interest in integrating natural forms into geometric structures, aligning with the early 20th-century dialogues about art and science. The mask below it, with its exaggerated features and stylized lines, presents a stark contrast. The crude, almost theatrical depiction destabilizes the established formality, suggesting a play between surface appearances and underlying realities. This contrast challenges viewers to question fixed meanings and recognize the multiplicity of expression.