Ontwerp voor een verpakking met decoratief kader 1884 - 1952

Editor: This is *Ontwerp voor een verpakking met decoratief kader*—that’s “Design for packaging with decorative frame”–by Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries, dating between 1884 and 1952. It’s a drawing in ink on paper and feels distinctly Art Nouveau. The symmetry is really satisfying. How do you see the design working visually? Curator: What immediately strikes me is the division of the picture plane. We observe two distinct rectangles, one positioned above the other. The upper register is filled with a chromatic contrast – a light yellow set against a black decorative border, replete with curvilinear forms, almost organic. Editor: Yes, that upper section is far more ornate. Curator: Precisely. Whereas the lower rectangle is strikingly devoid of such embellishment. Its emptiness accentuates the decorated area above, inviting consideration. Observe how the title, “Verpakking”, subtly anchors the composition, while its unadorned lettering suggests functionality. How might we read this interplay between the decorative and the functional? Editor: Perhaps the elaborate border suggests the quality of what the packaging contains, while the blank space below it hints at branding or the product itself to be added later. It seems designed to catch the eye while also leaving room for practicality. Curator: A compelling interpretation. And if we analyze the balance between the lines and geometric shapes we realize the intrinsic quality, far beyond what this was commissioned to do. Editor: I'm starting to think that there’s so much more to appreciate than just a simple design for a package. Curator: Indeed. Examining these formal elements gives a fuller understanding.