Getal 5 1904

Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries made "Getal 5" with ink, crafting something so precise. The process must have been so methodical, laying down each line with intention. The black ink is dense, almost velvety, against the stark white. The outlines create a sharp contrast, making the floral elements pop. I keep thinking about the curves, so gentle and they remind me of petals unfolding. It's like the number five is blossoming into something organic. The little dots are so cute. You can see each one was carefully placed with a really fine nib pen. The overall effect is both structured and playful, a kind of art deco vibe with the black and white and botanical touches. It reminds me a bit of Hilma af Klint's geometric symbolism, but with a tighter, more controlled aesthetic. It’s beautiful how de Vries manages to find a meeting point between mathematics and nature.