Book excerpt: Dutch Moderne examines a little-charted genre of Dutch graphic design during the 20's and 30's. The stylistic movements of the period - from De Stijl to art deco - played a vital role in bringing the concepts of the modern movement into the commercial world. A synthesis of cubist and ancient Egyptian and Mayan forms, art deco quickly spread throughout post-World War I France, Germany, England, Italy, and Eastern Europe before appearing in Holland. And yet despite its comparatively late start, Dutch designers enthusiastically embraced the style for its contemporary feel, elegance, and streamlined aesthetic as an alternative to staid traditional and outrageous revolutionary graphic approaches. The style influenced virtually all forms of Dutch commercial art, from magazines, newspapers, and posters to trademarks and advertisements. Dutch Moderne features over 500 of these designs, many of which have never before been published in the United States, by scores of designers both renowned and anonymous. These unearthed artifacts of Dutch commercial design reveal the rich legacy of an indigenous style. This book is an essential resource for graphic designers, students of design, and pop culture history aficionados alike.