Ontwerp voor de decoratie rond de wijzerplaat van een klok met vleermuisvleugelmotief 1734 - 1801

Jacobus Buys created this clock design with pen in grey ink and brush in grey and brown washes. The eye is immediately drawn to the symmetrical composition, balanced by the ornate clock face flanked by allegorical figures. The monochromatic palette, skillfully modulated through washes, emphasizes form and structure over colour. Note how the composition features cherubic figures floating above, contrasted with more earthly figures below. The clock’s circular face is not only a functional element but also a formal device. Its shape is a focal point around which the composition revolves. The lines of the cherubs and the draped figures create a visual rhythm, guiding the eye across the artwork's surface. The overall structure uses classical motifs within a decorative context. The symmetry and balance of the design reflect prevailing artistic tastes of the period, yet the use of allegory and the whimsical cherubs provide layers of meaning beyond mere decoration. Ultimately, this design embodies the intersection of art, time, and representation, inviting us to contemplate the deeper meanings embedded in this functional object.