Silk Patchwork for Pillow c. 1936

Edith Magnette’s "Silk Patchwork for Pillow" is a captivating study in color and geometric structure. Executed on paper, this design presents a grid of sixteen squares, each a microcosm of concentric rectangles radiating from a central point. The composition is both orderly and visually stimulating, inviting a prolonged, analytical gaze. The squares, each unique in their chromatic arrangement, collectively create a patchwork effect, a formal exercise in pattern and repetition. The use of line and color is particularly striking; the precision with which Magnette delineates each rectangular band allows her to build a complex interlay of color and texture. At the centre of each square is a strong focal point, a red square anchoring the riot of silk strips. Here, we see the intersection of domestic craft and fine art, a tension that destabilizes conventional hierarchies. Magnette’s work compels us to reconsider the boundaries between design and art. While the blueprint suggests a functional object, it stands alone as a piece of visual art, its structure and composition demanding attention and contemplation.