A striking Symbolist lithograph by Karel Petrus Cornelis de Bazel, featuring allegorical imagery and geometric precision.

This lithograph by the Dutch architect and designer Karel Petrus Cornelis de Bazel belongs to a series titled Argonauten. The work displays the stylistic hallmarks of the Dutch Symbolist movement during the late nineteenth century. De Bazel, who was deeply involved in the Theosophical Society, often infused his graphic work with esoteric and philosophical themes. The composition features a central, stoic figure wearing a helmet, framed by symbolic elements that suggest a rejection of traditional authority. The word ANARCHIE is inscribed in the upper portion, radiating outward like a sunburst. To the left, symbols of ecclesiastical and monarchical power, such as a crozier and a sword, are depicted. To the right, a series of clenched fists are shown, perhaps representing collective resistance or the assertion of individual will against established structures.

The line work is precise and controlled, reflecting the artist's background in architectural drafting. The figure is rendered with a flat, iconic quality, prioritising symbolic clarity over anatomical realism. The symmetry of the composition creates a sense of balance, which contrasts with the potentially volatile nature of the subject matter. De Bazel was a significant figure in the development of Dutch decorative arts, and his graphic output often shared the same geometric rigour found in his buildings. This print provides a window into the intellectual climate of the period, where artists sought to express complex psychological and political ideas through stylised, allegorical imagery. The monochromatic palette and the stark, linear approach ensure that the focus remains on the symbolic weight of the iconography rather than decorative flourish. It is a clear example of the intersection between political commentary and the mystical interests that occupied many artists of the fin de siècle.