Ex libris van J.H. Plantenga - Reijer Stolk

A striking Art Deco woodcut bookplate by Dutch artist Reijer Stolk, featuring geometric figures and the motto, 'Si tu veux garder ta fierté: travaille'.

This woodcut print by the Dutch artist Reijer Stolk functions as a bookplate, or ex libris, commissioned for J.H. Plantenga. The composition reflects the geometric rigour and stylised forms characteristic of the Art Deco period. Stolk employs a stark, linear approach, where the figures are integrated into a rigid, angular framework. The design incorporates the French phrase, 'Si tu veux garder ta fierté: travaille', which translates to 'If you wish to keep your pride: work'. This moralising sentiment is balanced by the inclusion of tools, such as a compass and set square, which suggest the owner's professional or intellectual pursuits in architecture or engineering.

The visual language is defined by a deliberate reduction of form. Stolk avoids unnecessary detail, focusing instead on the interplay between the dark, printed lines and the negative space of the paper. The figures are rendered with a sense of monumental stillness, their bodies echoing the geometric shapes that populate the background. This approach creates a cohesive, balanced image that is both functional as a mark of ownership and aesthetically unified. The use of a dark ink on a neutral, earthy paper stock enhances the graphic quality of the print, ensuring the text and imagery remain legible and impactful. As a piece of early twentieth-century graphic design, this work demonstrates the period's interest in combining typography with symbolic, stylised illustration. It provides a clear example of how personal identity was expressed through the medium of the bookplate, using concise visual shorthand to communicate the values and profession of the individual.