Sluitzegel van het Karma en Reïncarnatielegioen - Julie de Graag

A graphic seal design by Dutch artist Julie de Graag, featuring an ankh symbol and geometric motifs in a refined Art Nouveau style.

This graphic work by Julie de Graag represents a seal for the Karma en Reïncarnatielegioen, an organisation based in The Hague. De Graag, a Dutch artist associated with the Art Nouveau movement, often applied her precise, linear style to various forms of applied art, including bookplates and seals. Her work is characterised by a disciplined approach to form and a clear, geometric organisation of space.

The design features a central ankh, a symbol of life, set against a radiating circular motif. The composition is contained within a rectangular frame, with the text detailing the organisation's name and address positioned at the base. The use of a limited colour palette, dominated by deep purple and warm ochre, creates a balanced visual effect. The lines are clean and deliberate, reflecting the artist's background in printmaking and her ability to distil complex concepts into minimalist graphic elements.

Julie de Graag studied at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague and was influenced by the work of Jan Toorop. Her output frequently explored themes of spirituality, nature, and human form, often rendered with a stark, woodcut-like quality. This specific piece demonstrates her skill in creating functional yet symbolic imagery for institutional use. The work is presented here as a high-quality fine art print, preserving the original proportions and the subtle textures of the lithographic process. It serves as an example of early twentieth-century Dutch graphic design, where the influence of Symbolism and Art Nouveau merged to create distinct, stylised visual identities for various societies and groups active during the period.