Kader met bloemen 1896

This decorative frame with flowers was made by Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries, likely as a lithograph. It surrounds the text of a poem, and exemplifies a style common at the turn of the 20th century. The flat, graphic quality of the image is due to the lithographic process, which involves drawing on a stone or metal plate and then using ink to transfer the image to paper. This was an industrial printing method, allowing for the relatively quick reproduction of images. The graphic quality is very deliberate. The artist has made a clear decision not to mimic the appearance of a drawing or painting. Instead, the stark contrasts of light and shadow and the use of flowing, stylized lines give the frame an Art Nouveau feel. Consider the amount of work involved in creating the original design. The artist was likely working in a design firm. De Vries and his studio would have been very aware of their contributions to a growing commercial culture. This print is an intriguing example of how craft, design, and industry can coalesce in a single artwork.