Ontwerp voor een omslag voor een herbarium 1887 - 1924

Julie de Graag created this design for a herbarium cover with pen and brush in shades of brown, yellow, and green. The work's subdued palette is soothing, and the composition is structured with a border of stylized leaves and flowers that frame a central, rectangular field. Inside, a simplified floral design sprouts from a single stem, symmetrically branching towards the top, where the word "Herbarium" is neatly inscribed. De Graag creates a pattern that marries natural forms with geometric precision. The emphasis on symmetry and order here reflects a broader artistic interest in the underlying structures of nature. Each element seems carefully placed to achieve a balance between organic fluidity and the rigidity of design. It suggests a world where nature is not chaotic but is governed by discernible, harmonious principles. Notice how the linear quality of the design emphasizes the flat picture plane, typical of early 20th-century decorative arts, embracing the interplay between representation and abstraction.