Detailstudies van vissen, met kleurnotities 1876 - 1924

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof created this study of fish with graphite and colored pencil. Dijsselhof was working at a time when artists in the Netherlands sought to create a uniquely Dutch art, turning away from French Impressionism and toward a more symbolic and decorative style. This drawing reflects the period’s interest in natural forms as sources of visual inspiration. We can see Dijsselhof closely observing the details of the fish, using color notations to capture their hues. He was deeply involved in the Dutch Arts and Crafts movement, where artists believed in the unity of art and design, often applying natural forms to furniture, textiles, and ceramics. To understand Dijsselhof, one might look at publications from the period like ‘The Studio,’ which promoted the Arts and Crafts movement internationally. By studying the artistic debates of the time, we can better understand how artists like Dijsselhof sought to redefine Dutch art.