Fragment van blad met ontwerpen voor een schaal van aardewerk 1919

Theo Colenbrander created this study for an earthenware bowl using graphite, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Colenbrander emerged during a period of significant cultural transformation, as the Industrial Revolution reshaped societal structures and artistic practices. As an artist, Colenbrander navigated the tensions between traditional craftsmanship and modern industrial production. This drawing gives us access to his design process, revealing his exploration of form and pattern. The swirling lines and abstract shapes suggest an interest in the expressive possibilities of design. The unfinished quality evokes a sense of potential, hinting at the dynamic interplay between the artist's vision and the material constraints of ceramics. Colenbrander’s work invites us to reflect on our own relationship to objects and the creative labor that shapes them. This drawing remains relevant today, especially as we consider the ecological impact of design and manufacturing.