Ontwerpen voor een broche c. 1874 - 1932

This is Mathieu Lauweriks's "Ontwerpen voor een broche," or designs for a brooch, created with graphite on paper. Lauweriks was a Dutch architect, designer, and theorist, deeply involved in the search for universal principles in art and architecture. His approach was influenced by a blend of theosophy and geometric principles, reflecting a broader cultural interest in spirituality and science. His designs often incorporate geometric patterns, meant to convey a sense of harmony and order, a visual language intended to reflect deeper truths about the universe. Brooches, historically worn by all genders, have long served as markers of identity, status, and belonging. Lauweriks’s design moves away from traditional representational forms, towards an abstract ideal. Consider, in this context, how the act of adornment can transcend mere decoration, becoming a means of expressing one's connection to larger social structures. It asks how we can find meaning and express identity through the universal language of form.