Vlinder en vlammen 1895 - 1935

Mathieu Lauweriks made this black ink artwork, Vlinder en vlammen, which translates to Butterfly and Flames, using the woodcut technique. Lauweriks was a Dutch architect, designer, and theorist, whose spiritual beliefs deeply influenced his artistic approach. In this woodcut, the butterfly and flames are set against geometric patterns. The butterfly, often seen as a symbol of transformation, floats above what seems to be a temple, while the flames at the top add a sense of intensity and change. The symmetry in the artwork reflects the artist's interest in geometric principles. Lauweriks was a Theosophist, a spiritual movement which sought universal truths beyond the material world. His belief system aimed to combine Eastern and Western religious traditions. Consider how the rigid geometric forms contrast with the transformative symbolism of the butterfly. It invites us to reflect on the interplay between structure and change, spirituality and form, inviting a deeply personal interpretation of life's dualities.