Versierd plafond in het huis op Noordeinde 140 te Den Haag c. 1900 - 1915

This is a photograph of a decorated ceiling in a house on Noordeinde, made by an anonymous artist. I can only imagine how this ornate stucco ceiling came into being! Its creamy, off-white plaster feels cool to the touch. It’s all curves and details, with leaves, flowers, and scrolls coiling out from its edges, enclosing a round empty space in the center. I’m thinking about the artist, head craned back, carefully layering and carving each element, balancing the composition as they go. It must have been quite physical, a real dance in the room, up and down the ladder, trowel in hand. For me, ornamentation like this can be like a form of drawing. Its exuberance suggests not just technical skill but a sense of joy, where every little mark matters and contributes to a larger, more harmonious whole. Ultimately, it reminds me that artists are constantly in conversation, borrowing and building upon the ideas of those who came before.