Aan de zon - Karel Petrus Cornelis de Bazel

A 1895 Symbolist lithograph by Karel Petrus Cornelis de Bazel, depicting a figure reaching towards a radiant sun inscribed with the word SAT.

Karel Petrus Cornelis de Bazel was a Dutch architect and designer whose graphic work often explored spiritual and esoteric themes. This lithograph, titled Aan de zon, dates from 1895 and reflects the artist's interest in theosophical concepts and symbolic representation. The composition features a central figure, viewed from behind, with arms raised towards a radiant sun containing the word SAT. The term refers to the Sanskrit concept of truth or existence, which aligns with the handwritten note on the print referencing light and truth.

The visual language employed here is characteristic of the late nineteenth-century Symbolist movement. De Bazel uses a controlled, linear approach to define the figure and the surrounding aura. The radiating lines around the sun create a sense of vibration and energy, contrasting with the solid, dark form of the robed figure. The geometric patterns on the figure's garment suggest a ritualistic or ceremonial context, typical of the artist's interest in historical and mystical iconography. The print is mounted on a larger sheet of paper, which includes the artist's signature, date, and professional details, indicating its status as a deliberate, finished graphic work.

De Bazel's work often sought to integrate architecture with the decorative arts, and this print demonstrates his ability to translate complex philosophical ideas into a clear, graphic format. The balance between the dark, grounded figure and the light, celestial sun creates a tension that invites contemplation. The work remains a clear example of the Dutch Symbolist aesthetic, where line and form are used to communicate metaphysical ideas rather than purely representational subjects. This print offers a glimpse into the intellectual climate of the period, where artists frequently looked beyond the material world for inspiration.