Vignette 1888 - 1924

This is a tiny drawing on paper, a Vignette, by Julie de Graag, and it's in the Rijksmuseum. The marks feel so intentional, like each line was a decision, a little dance of the hand. Looking closely, you can see how the black ink sits right on the surface. There’s a wonderful contrast between the density of the black and the creamy paper, which creates a delicate texture. The floral and foliate elements that form the oval are not perfectly symmetrical, but this asymmetry gives the work a handmade quality, creating a dynamic, almost vibrating energy. See that little flower at the bottom? It’s a tiny explosion of detail. This piece feels like a cousin to the work of Aubrey Beardsley, sharing that love for intricate linework and decorative forms. Art's just a big conversation, isn't it? A back-and-forth across time and space. De Graag’s Vignette invites us to find beauty in simplicity and to embrace the playful ambiguities of art.