Figuren bij een theosofisch embleem - Karel Petrus Cornelis de Bazel

A striking Symbolist lithograph by Karel Petrus Cornelis de Bazel, featuring a contemplative figure set against a cosmic, geometric emblem.

Karel Petrus Cornelis de Bazel was a Dutch architect and designer whose work often incorporated esoteric and spiritual themes. This lithograph, titled Figuren bij een theosofisch embleem, reflects his engagement with the Theosophical Society, an organisation that sought to synthesise science, religion, and philosophy. The composition is divided into two distinct registers, creating a visual dialogue between the earthly and the celestial.

The lower portion features a seated female figure, rendered in profile with a serene expression. Her posture, with arms crossed over her chest, suggests a state of contemplation or prayer. She is positioned against a background of brickwork and a distant horizon, grounding the scene in a physical reality. Above her, the space transitions into a cosmic realm filled with stars. Two standing figures occupy this upper section, flanking a large geometric emblem. This central motif consists of a triangle enclosed within a circle, topped by a small swastika, a symbol frequently utilised in early twentieth-century occult and decorative arts to represent auspiciousness or movement.

The style is characteristic of the Dutch Symbolist movement, which favoured flat, linear forms and clear, symbolic imagery over naturalistic representation. De Bazel employs a high-contrast, black-and-white palette that emphasises the graphic quality of the print. The figures are stylised, with elongated proportions and simplified drapery, echoing the influence of ancient Egyptian art and early Christian iconography. The work functions as a meditative image, inviting the viewer to consider the relationship between the human experience and universal spiritual truths. Through his precise use of line and balanced composition, De Bazel creates a sense of order and harmony, reflecting his broader interest in geometry as a language for expressing metaphysical concepts.