Ontwerp voor een prentenstandaard 1887 - 1911

This is a design for a print stand, made by Gust van de Wall Perné, around the turn of the 20th century. It's rendered in pencil and watercolor, but intended to be realized in wood. The design is a great example of how the Arts and Crafts movement embraced a wide range of making traditions. While van de Wall Perné was an artist, he was also interested in furniture design and, more broadly, in the dignity of labor. The design is richly ornamented with curvilinear Art Nouveau motifs that would have taken considerable skill and time to execute. The design suggests carving, joinery, and possibly even inlay work. More than just a decorative object, the print stand speaks to a desire to integrate art into everyday life. The level of craftsmanship involved would have elevated this object beyond mere utility. We can see how the values of the Arts and Crafts movement sought to counteract the alienating effects of industrial production. The design celebrates hand skills and the integration of art and labor.