Broche c. 1908 - 1911

This brooch was made by Lodewijk Willem van Kooten II, probably in the early 20th century. It’s a small thing, about an inch tall, but it packs a punch with its clean lines and bold color choices. The first thing that strikes me is the material contrast: the cool, hard gleam of the gold against the deep, velvety purple of that central gem. Look how the gold forms a kind of cage around the amethyst, with these little stylized knot details in blue enamel at each corner. The enamel work is so precise, so controlled. There’s this real tension between the organic, flowing lines of the Art Nouveau style and the strict geometry of the square shape. What does it all mean? I don’t know, and frankly, I don’t think it matters. Art’s not about answers; it’s about questions. For me, this brooch sparks a dialogue with the work of artists like Hilma af Klint. The way she plays with geometric forms and spiritual ideas resonates with what I see here, that sense of order and mystery.