Ex libris voor J. Slagter (ontwerp, twee keer) c. 1935 - 1940

Editor: This is Leo Gestel's "Ex libris voor J. Slagter (ontwerp, twee keer)", made around 1935 to 1940. It’s a pencil drawing on paper. There's a peaceful quality to it; a head rests on a stack of books. How do you interpret this work? Curator: These bookplates, intended to personalize one's library, speak volumes about the sitter’s identity, or at least, the identity they wished to project. Consider the act of commissioning such a piece during this period. Who was J. Slagter? Was he a collector, an intellectual? The imagery suggests a contemplative nature, associating him with knowledge and perhaps even a life of leisure dedicated to reading. The Art Nouveau influences hint at an embrace of aestheticism and the value of art in everyday life, marking him, perhaps, as someone invested in those ideals. Does that reading resonate with you? Editor: Yes, I hadn’t thought about it as an identity statement, but that makes a lot of sense. So, choosing Art Nouveau connects him to that movement's values. Curator: Precisely. And think about what it meant to possess books during that era. Access to knowledge was not as democratized as it is today. Owning a personal library carried a certain weight, suggesting privilege, education, and cultural capital. Gestel's design, then, is not merely a decorative mark but also an emblem of social and intellectual standing. This small drawing holds layers of meaning relating to class and cultural values of the time. Editor: That’s fascinating. I wouldn’t have considered the social implications so directly, but that context really enriches the reading of the piece. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. It reminds us that even seemingly simple designs can be powerful reflections of societal structures and personal aspirations. Always consider the cultural and historical framework.