Proefdruk voor pagina uit Reinaert de Vos c. 1910

This trial proof for a page from Reinaert de Vos was made by Bernard Willem Wierink. It’s all about the push and pull of simplicity and detail, isn't it? The delicate, muted colour palette gives it a quiet strength. Look at the way the eagle motif at the top is mirrored by the row of birds along the bottom; there’s a real sense of symmetry at play. I love how the botanical elements weave in and out, creating a frame within a frame. The texture is smooth, almost like a whisper. You can imagine the artist carefully carving each line, each leaf, each feather. It reminds me a little of the work of William Morris. It’s a reminder that art is a conversation. It's about looking, thinking, and feeling and then responding with your own voice. There’s no right or wrong way, just the ongoing dialogue between the artist, the artwork, and you.