Vignet met bloemen 1884 - 1952

This is Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries's "Vignet met bloemen," a small drawing on paper. De Vries was a Dutch artist working in the early 20th century, during a period of significant social and cultural transformation. The drawing’s simplicity is striking. Three vases, each holding a bouquet of stylized flowers, are arranged symmetrically. This symmetry may reflect the artist's search for order. De Vries's life spanned a time of immense change, including the World Wars. One can only imagine the sense of turmoil and displacement. Did the creation of these images act as a form of meditation, a way to impose control on an increasingly chaotic world? Whether this vignet was a form of meditation, or an exploration of form, it is a quiet yet evocative piece. It makes us think about how we seek balance and beauty.