Ontwerp van een schrijfvoorbeeld: Ad doctiss. clarissismumq[ue] (...) 1609

This is an ink drawing titled ‘Ontwerp van een schrijfvoorbeeld: Ad doctiss. clarissismumq[ue]...’ by Jan van de Velde I, created around 1604, and held at the Rijksmuseum. The dominant feature is the ornate calligraphy, framed by a dense border of spiraling lines. This creates a visually rich texture, where the interplay of positive and negative space forms a dynamic composition. The overall effect is one of controlled chaos. The dense, swirling lines create a sense of movement, while the ordered text suggests a counter-impulse toward structure. The artwork functions as a semiotic system. The calligraphic script and border serve as signs that communicate ideas beyond their literal content. The elaborate design elevates the writing sample from a mere functional piece to an art object. The dense arrangement of the lines within the border tests conventional notions of design and order. It suggests a deeper exploration into the relationship between language, aesthetics, and cultural expression.