Vlakken met klimopscheuten en artisjokken before 1897

This intriguing print, "Vlakken met klimopscheuten en artisjokken," combines ivy shoots and artichokes, all rendered with an anonymous hand. The printmaking process has yielded sharp contrasts and fine detail, resulting in a study of botanical forms. The choice of subject matter is interesting: ivy, often associated with growth and abundance, paired with artichokes, a labor-intensive crop with edible and inedible parts. The arrangement of the composition suggests a systematic or scientific approach, perhaps intended for practical use. We can note here the artist's close observation and understanding of the plants' textures, captured here in this printed format. The images are removed from the contexts of growth, food production, and cultivation, and instead become an abstracted image. The artwork merges art and craft, underscoring the value in the artistry involved in the everyday image making that is crucial to understanding this artwork.