Diploma van de Maatschappij tot Bevordering der Bouwkunst voor een gevelwedstrijd after 1913

This diploma by Chris Lebeau was made for an architecture competition, probably printed using a woodblock. The dense design feels very of-its-time, organized, clear, and yet stylized with Art Nouveau elements. Looking closely, you see an intense symmetry and repetition of shapes, but then the lines aren't mechanically perfect, there's an asymmetry and quirkiness which adds life to it. The overall black ink emphasizes the positive/negative relationships that define the design. It’s a back-and-forth between geometric and fluid forms. The shield emblem at the bottom is interesting, with its sword and stars. It’s got this serious, heraldic vibe, but then the frame around it is all little playful chevrons. I guess that contrast is what keeps it alive. It reminds me of the formal yet expressive work of someone like Hilma af Klint, where the symbolism meets pure abstraction. Like this diploma, art is always negotiating between structure and feeling.