Athiom of A (Het Mysterie van een Magieër) - Karel Petrus Cornelis de Bazel

A striking Symbolist lithograph by Karel Petrus Cornelis de Bazel, featuring an enigmatic figure and occult-inspired typography.

This lithograph by Karel Petrus Cornelis de Bazel reflects the esoteric interests prevalent in late nineteenth-century Dutch art. De Bazel, a prominent architect and designer, was deeply involved in the Theosophical Society, and his graphic work often incorporates occult symbolism and geometric precision. The image depicts a figure identified as Athiom of A, presented in a stylised, hieratic posture that recalls ancient Egyptian iconography. The figure stands against a dark, cross-hatched background, holding a staff, while the upper portion of the composition features bold, hand-lettered text in Dutch: 1e TAPEEREL ATHIOM OF A HET MYSTERIE VAN EEN MAGIEËR.

The composition is defined by a rigid, vertical orientation, typical of the artist's disciplined approach to design. The figure is rendered with clean, deliberate lines, avoiding unnecessary ornamentation in favour of a clear, symbolic narrative. The contrast between the stark white of the figure and the dense, dark background creates a graphic tension that is characteristic of the Symbolist movement. De Bazel's work from this period demonstrates a synthesis of architectural structure and mystical subject matter, resulting in a visual language that is both precise and enigmatic. This print offers a glimpse into the intellectual climate of the Dutch fin-de-siècle, where artists sought to express hidden truths through simplified, archetypal forms. The work remains a compelling example of the intersection between graphic arts and the spiritualist movements that influenced European design at the turn of the century.