Ontwerp voor een vaas 1851 - 1930

Theo Colenbrander designed this vase using graphite on paper, which presents us with an intricate exploration of form and function. The drawing captures a tall vase, bisected by a central line. This vertical division accentuates the vase's symmetry and guides our eye along its graceful curves. The vase swells and narrows, echoing a play of opposing forces. These rounded shapes, rendered with subtle shading, suggest a three-dimensionality that belies the flat surface of the paper. We can consider this in the context of semiotics where the vase form, traditionally associated with containment and display, here becomes a study in pure, abstract form. The addition of lines and annotations suggest Colenbrander's engagement with the modernist ethos. The drawing’s power lies in its capacity to transform the utilitarian into the aesthetic, inviting viewers to reconsider the relationship between art, design, and the everyday object.