Graduation Season: the Ultimate Gift Guide!
It’s almost graduation season which means the celebratory preparations are in full swing. Of course, such a milestone calls for a very special kind of gift, something your son or daughter, niece or nephew, boyfriend or girlfriend will cherish for a lifetime.
However, finding the perfect gift requires almost as much effort as planning a great party. At Gallerease we have put together a small yet thoughtful gift guide for you, because we think this is the perfect opportunity to surprise a loved one or good friend with their first work of art!
Johannes van Schoonhoven, Platte grond der Stad Utrecht 1778
Whereas paintings can be very sensitive to matters of taste and personal preference, works on paper are generally more neutral and can also be valuable for reasons beyond aesthetics.
Antique maps of university cities for example provide a historical memento to one’s time spent there, like millions of students have done throughout the centuries.
C. van Baarsel, Plan Nouveau & très exact de la Ville d´Amsteldam. Nieuwe Platte Grond der Stad Amsteldam, 1795.
Cityscapes such as this 19th century chalk drawing of Amsterdam by Jacob Maris (1837-1899) may also be added to that category. This one in particular provides a slightly more intimate view of the city:
Jacob Maris, chalk drawing of Amsterdam, 19th century.
Another discipline that definitely belo
ngs on this list is sculpture. Sculpture has a three-dimensional quality which makes it less vulnerable than works on paper, but it’s tangibility also adds to the intimacy. The owl has always been emblematic of knowledge, stemming of course from the ancient Greek myth surrounding Athena, later incarnated as Minerva in Roman mythology. Athena, the virgin goddess of wisdom, was always accompanied by a small owl.
This sculpture therefore provides the perfect graduation gift due to its symbolic meaning.
Jacqueline van der Laan, Oehoe, bronze, h 140cm.
Finally, if in doubt, jewelry is always a good idea! But if you want to give someone a truly unique piece, then it’s worth taking a look at antique jewelry.
The historical importance of such pieces again reflects the sense of legacy that accompanies a graduation, joining the ranks of history's great philosophers, writers and scientists.
Victorian golden earrings with diamonds and seedpearls, second half 19th century, 4,9 x 1.9cm.
Hopefully this guide has inspired you to find something very special and uforgettable to mark an important milestone and celebrate an amazing accomplishment!
