Fragment of a Twenty-Five Guilder Banknote Design - Pieter Dupont

A precise etching by Pieter Dupont, featuring a study of ornamental foliate motifs and the numeral twenty-five for a Dutch banknote design.

This etching by the Dutch artist Pieter Dupont represents a preparatory study for the reverse side of a twenty-five guilder banknote. Dupont, a skilled draughtsman and printmaker, was commissioned to create designs that balanced functional currency requirements with the aesthetic sensibilities of the period. The work displays a focus on precision and decorative form, typical of the turn-of-the-century approach to banknote engraving.

The composition is sparse, centring on the numeral twenty-five. Flanking this figure are ornamental elements featuring stylised foliate motifs. These decorative borders demonstrate the influence of Art Nouveau, where organic, curved lines were integrated into formal design structures. The etching process allows for fine, controlled lines, which Dupont utilised to define the shadows and contours of the leaf-like patterns. The contrast between the open, negative space of the paper and the dense, shaded engraving of the ornaments creates a clear visual hierarchy.

As a study, the piece provides insight into the technical preparation required for high-security printing. The lines are clean and deliberate, reflecting the artist's mastery of the copper plate. By isolating these specific elements, the viewer can appreciate the discipline involved in creating currency designs that were both secure and visually coherent. This print is a record of the intersection between fine art printmaking and industrial design in the Netherlands during the early twentieth century.