Aankondiging voordracht 'Apollo en Marsyas' - Mathieu Lauweriks

A striking Dutch Art Nouveau woodcut by Mathieu Lauweriks, featuring bold, geometric typography and symbolic imagery for a lecture on Apollo and Marsyas.

This woodcut print by the Dutch architect and designer Mathieu Lauweriks serves as a graphic announcement for a lecture titled 'Apollo en Marsyas'. Produced around 1900, the work reflects the stylistic preoccupations of the Dutch Art Nouveau period, specifically the influence of Theosophy and geometric abstraction that Lauweriks championed alongside his contemporaries in the circle of the 'Vereeniging Wie Denkt Overwint'.

The composition is dominated by a rigorous, grid-based arrangement of text and imagery. The upper portion features highly stylised, almost indecipherable lettering that pushes the boundaries of legibility in favour of a cohesive, decorative pattern. Below this, the informational text remains clearer, providing details of the event held at Cafe Schlusser in Amsterdam. The lower section introduces a dramatic visual element: a hand reaching out from a dark, textured background, accompanied by the word 'Waarheid' (Truth) and the phrase 'Menetekel Upharsin'.

Lauweriks utilised the woodcut medium to create high-contrast, bold shapes. The stark black-and-white palette emphasises the graphic quality of the design, where every mark serves both a functional and a symbolic purpose. The angularity of the hand and the radiating lines suggest a sense of urgency and revelation, aligning with the esoteric themes often explored by the artist during this period. This piece functions as both a utilitarian advertisement and a manifestation of the artist's theoretical approach to design, where geometry and spiritual symbolism merge into a singular, unified visual language. The print remains a compelling example of early twentieth-century Dutch graphic arts, demonstrating a departure from traditional ornamentation toward a more structured, modern aesthetic.