The cover for De Stijl, vol. 5, no. 2 was designed by Theo van Doesburg and printed in February 1922 using letterpress.

This issue represents the fifth annual volume of the influential Dutch periodical De Stijl, which was central to the dissemination of the movement’s ideas on modern art, architecture, and design. Van Doesburg, a principal founder and editor of the publication, was instrumental in defining the visual identity of the magazine through his use of geometric abstraction and typographic innovation. The cover features a stark, asymmetrical layout dominated by the bold red letters “ND” and the numeral “2”, set against a white background. The title “DE STIJL” appears in black, partially overlaid on the red “ND”, while additional publication information is arranged vertically and horizontally in black type.

The composition employs a limited palette of red and black, with strong contrasts and clear, sans-serif lettering, reflecting the movement’s commitment to clarity, order, and the reduction of form to essentials. De Stijl magazine was published in Leiden and edited by Theo van Doesburg, with this cover marking an example of his typographic experimentation and the movement’s international ambitions, as indicated by the cities listed at the bottom. The periodical played a key role in articulating and spreading the principles of the De Stijl movement, which sought to integrate art and life through abstraction and universal harmony. This cover is reproduced in the 1968 complete reprint of the magazine, edited by Ad Petersen.