Philips lampen, in alle sterkten! Nederlandsch fabrikaat - Reijer Stolk

A Dutch graphic design by Reijer Stolk for Philips lamps. This colour woodcut features stylised light bulbs and hand-lettered text in the Nieuwe Kunst style.

Reijer Stolk was a Dutch artist and graphic designer known for his work in printmaking and textile design. Born in Java, he brought a specific aesthetic to Dutch commercial art during the early twentieth century. This piece is an advertisement for Philips lamps, a company based in Eindhoven. The text translates to "Philips lamps, in all strengths! Dutch manufacture." The composition uses bold black outlines to define the forms of electric light bulbs and their components. Stolk employs a palette of yellow, orange, green, and purple. The background features a stippled or textured effect, likely achieved through the woodcut process. The lettering at the bottom is integrated into the design, reflecting the influence of the Nieuwe Kunst movement, the Dutch iteration of Art Nouveau. Stolk was a master of the woodcut technique. He often experimented with batik methods and Javanese motifs in his fine art. In this commercial commission, he applies those technical skills to create a modern image for an industrial product. The overlapping circular forms represent the glow and variety of the lamps offered by Philips. This print is a characteristic example of how early twentieth-century artists bridged the gap between traditional craft and modern industry.