Ontwerp voor een boekrug voor: P.J. Ravesteijn, Gedenkboek Hilversum 1424-1924, 1924 1924

This is Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries's 1924 design for the spine of 'P.J. Ravesteijn, Gedenkboek Hilversum 1424-1924.' In the early 20th century, design was deeply connected to ideas of national identity, particularly in the wake of the First World War. The Netherlands, like many European nations, sought to define and celebrate its cultural heritage through art and design. De Vries's design evokes a sense of civic pride and historical continuity. The spine features a stylized coat of arms, connecting the present with centuries of local history. The Art Deco influences suggest a forward-looking perspective, blending tradition with modernity. The text itself, rendered in a clean, geometric font, emphasizes order and progress. Yet, this ordered design also hints at the complexities of historical narratives: who is included, who is celebrated, and whose stories are left untold? Consider the role of such commemorative books in shaping collective memory. It asks us to consider how objects like this design contribute to the construction of history.