Banier met de stadsmaagd van Roermond 1857 - 1859

This is a design for a banner with the city virgin of Roermond, made by Pierre Joseph Hubert Cuypers using pencil on paper. The soft graphite lines create an ethereal and delicate composition, fitting the imagery of a city virgin. Cuypers was a key figure in the Gothic Revival movement, and his practice included architecture, furniture, and the decorative arts, all done in close collaboration with workshops and artisans. Here, the drawing suggests a design process, where the material of the sketch acts as a blueprint for a grander, more elaborate textile banner. The choice of pencil as a medium speaks to the artist's intent, using a readily available and versatile material to visualize and communicate his ideas. Consider the traditional skills employed to bring this banner to life, and the labor involved in translating Cuypers’ vision into a tangible object for the city of Roermond. This drawing is a reminder of the artistic process, and the relationship between design, craft, and community.