Man die met twee vingers gebaart - Karel Petrus Cornelis de Bazel

A symbolic lithograph by Dutch artist K.P.C. de Bazel, featuring a stylised figure amidst celestial motifs, reflecting the esoteric interests of the 1890s.

Karel Petrus Cornelis de Bazel was a Dutch architect and designer whose graphic work often explored mystical and esoteric themes. This lithograph, titled 'Man die met twee vingers gebaart' (Man gesturing with two fingers), reflects the stylistic tendencies of late nineteenth-century Symbolism. The composition presents a bearded figure, rendered with a high degree of stylisation, set against a backdrop of celestial bodies including stars, a crescent moon, and a planetary ring. The figure's gesture, with two fingers raised, suggests a ritualistic or symbolic communication, consistent with the artist's interest in theosophy and occult iconography.

The visual language employed here relies on a balance between linear precision and decorative abstraction. The hair and beard flow in rhythmic, parallel lines, creating a sense of movement that contrasts with the static, frontal pose of the subject. The surrounding stars are scattered across the field, providing a cosmic context that elevates the figure beyond a simple portrait. De Bazel's approach to form is deliberately flattened, prioritising the graphic quality of the print over three-dimensional modelling. This method aligns with the broader European interest in decorative arts during the 1890s, where the page itself became a space for symbolic arrangement rather than realistic representation.

As a practitioner of the Nieuwe Kunst movement in the Netherlands, De Bazel sought to integrate spiritual meaning into everyday objects and printed media. This work demonstrates his ability to distil complex philosophical concepts into a clear, monochromatic visual format. The print serves as an example of the period's fascination with the intersection of geometry, nature, and the unseen world. The stark contrast between the dark ink and the light paper emphasises the clarity of the line work, ensuring the symbolic elements remain legible and precise.