Undershirt c. early 20th century

This simple white shirt, made by Bursa and held at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, speaks volumes about the act of making. The color palette is almost non-existent, yet the eye travels across the surface taking in every single imperfection and variation in tone. It's like a monochromatic painting where the absence of bright color allows for the process of stitching to take center stage. Look closely, you can see the hand of the maker in every stitch, a testament to the time and care put into its creation. The surface is soft, almost translucent, and the rows of thin lines create a visual rhythm that’s both comforting and hypnotic. Each stitch a small gesture, like a brushstroke, building to a complete form. The shirt reminds me of Agnes Martin's minimalist grids, not in appearance, but in the shared understanding of artmaking as a form of meditation. There’s an ambiguity to the shirt, an embrace of imperfection that feels very modern. It’s more than just an undershirt, it’s a canvas for human touch.