Vier vlinders 1884 - 1952

This drawing, "Vier Vlinders" by Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries, made in 1903, has a graphic quality, as if it could be used for a print. The lines seem decisive and bold. It's really about shapes, how they interact and create tension, isn't it? I'm drawn to the way the curved lines contrast with the sharp, geometric shapes within the central figure that fans out like a peacock's tail. Look at those dots and dashes, almost like a code or constellation, and the way the weight of the lines varies, giving a sense of depth despite the limited palette. There's an Art Nouveau vibe here, but it feels less about nature and more about pattern and rhythm. It reminds me of the work of Gustav Klimt, with its decorative sensibility, but it's also got this graphic, almost Op Art feel, like Bridget Riley, though done with a limited tonal range. Ultimately, it’s a real testament to the power of lines to make something so visually interesting.