Wagen getrokken door Chimaera - Mathieu Lauweriks

A striking 1895 woodcut by Mathieu Lauweriks featuring a mythological chariot, defined by geometric precision and high-contrast graphic symbolism.

This woodcut by the Dutch architect and designer Mathieu Lauweriks displays the characteristic geometric rigour associated with his work during the late nineteenth century. Created in 1895, the composition features a chariot pulled by a chimera, a mythological creature rendered here with stylised, scale-like patterns. The scene is framed by strong vertical and horizontal elements, including a prominent wheel and a text block reading 17 MAART 1871, which relates to the historical context of the Paris Commune.

Lauweriks was a significant figure in the development of Dutch modernism, often applying mathematical principles to his designs. The image relies on high-contrast black and white forms to create a sense of movement and tension. The radiating lines behind the central figure suggest a sunburst or a halo, adding a layer of symbolic weight to the mythological subject. The figure of the driver, wielding a sword, is positioned with a sense of urgency, contrasting with the steady, forward motion of the beast.

This print reflects the broader European interest in the occult and classical mythology that permeated the Symbolist movement. Lauweriks avoids naturalistic shading, opting instead for a graphic, flattened approach that prioritises the structural integrity of the image. The work demonstrates his ability to integrate typography and illustration into a cohesive unit, a skill that would later inform his contributions to theosophical design and architectural theory. The rough edges of the paper and the handwritten annotations provide a glimpse into the artist's process, showing this as a working proof or an early edition. It is a piece that rewards close inspection of its linear patterns and the deliberate arrangement of its symbolic components.