Artwork
Composition
Composition is a print by Jacoba van Heemskerck van Beest. It dates from 1921 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower left in graphite: JacobavanHeemskerck
About this work
Overview
Created in 1921, "Composition" is a black-and-white print produced by Jacoba van Heemskerck Beest. Executed as a linocut on laid paper, the work consists solely of stark black shapes set against a light background, offering a purely graphic visual experience.
Technique & Style
The artist employed the linocut process, carving the design into a linoleum block and then pressing it onto paper. This method yields crisp, unmodulated areas of black and white, resulting in sharp edges and a flat, graphic quality. The lines appear jagged and uneven, contributing to an abstract, non‑representational composition.
Subject & Meaning
No recognizable objects appear in the image; instead, tangled, wavy forms intersect across the surface. The absence of figurative content suggests an exploration of line, shape, and contrast rather than narrative depiction, inviting viewers to consider the formal relationships within the abstract arrangement.
History & Provenance
The print was made in the early 1920s, a period during which Jacoba van Heemskerck Beest produced a number of abstract works. Specific details about its ownership history or exhibition record are not documented in the available sources.
Artist & collection
