Handelsmerk van de fabriek van André Desmas in Leiden 1635 - 1694

Dirck de Bray created this trade mark for André Desmas’s factory in Leiden, using ink on paper. At its heart, we see bundles of cloth, the raw material of Desmas’s production, encircled by the factory’s name. Around this sit two angels, standing on a plinth that bears Desmas’s name. Above, we see a crest with two keys, symbols of Leiden itself. All of this is rendered with spare, precise lines; this isn’t fine art, but graphic design in the service of commerce. Yet it’s more than just a logo. Look closely, and you’ll notice that the lines are not uniform; they vary in thickness and pressure, giving the image depth and texture. This betrays the hand of the artist, which is interesting. De Bray also worked as a master builder and glass painter, and we can see his sensitivity to craft skill in this humble design. This print reminds us that art and commerce were not always separate spheres. In fact, the rise of capitalism in the Dutch Golden Age depended on the close collaboration of artists and entrepreneurs.