Monogram JCK 1944

This drawing was made by Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries sometime between 1919 and 1944 using graphite and colored pencil. It's wild to think about what might have been going on in the artist's life during those years, working on this monogram of "JCK" amidst world events. I wonder if this was for a wedding or some other kind of personal project. The entwined letters feel so intimate, surrounded by delicate swirls and flourishes. I love how the blue lettering contrasts with the softer greens and yellows, giving it a kind of illuminated manuscript vibe. Look at the subtle shading! You can really sense the hand of the artist here, carefully building up the layers of color and texture. It reminds me of other artists who played with typography, like Sonia Delaunay, but with a much more intimate and decorative feel. There’s a sense of play here, a kind of personal language being created that is both beautiful and very touching.