Ontwerp voor illustratie voor In Holland staat een huis: silhouet van de meid die valt 1884 - 1917

Nelly Bodenheim designed this silhouette illustration for the children's song "In Holland staat een huis." The artwork uses stark black silhouettes against a pale background, creating a visually arresting composition. The figures are arranged in a theatrical tableau; a man sits at a table, seemingly oblivious as a woman gestures dramatically towards a child and a distraught maid. Bodenheim uses the flatness of the silhouette to emphasize the gestures and the dynamics of the scene. The stark contrast between the figures and the background invites a semiotic interpretation, where each silhouette acts as a signifier of social roles, and the power dynamics within the household are palpable. The lack of color and detail forces us to focus on form and arrangement. Ultimately, this illustration, with its sharp lines and dramatic composition, serves as a powerful commentary on social hierarchy. Bodenheim’s formal choices amplify the narrative, making it both visually engaging and symbolically rich.