Staal bespanningsstof van linnendamast met dessin van zwaluwen en bijen 1911 - 1915

This is a linen damask textile, with a pattern of swallows and bees, made by Chris Lebeau. Lebeau, a Dutch artist, was deeply involved in the ideals of social reform and anarchism. This piece speaks to the intersection of art and labor, reflecting the values of the Arts and Crafts movement. Lebeau, who was Jewish, tragically died in 1945 in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp after being arrested for helping people in the resistance. It's impossible to view his work separately from his personal history. The image, which shows the innocence of the natural world is in stark opposition to the reality of the war. The textile, meant for domestic use, becomes a poignant reminder of lost domesticity and peace. The swallows and bees, symbols of freedom and industry, are shadowed by Lebeau's experiences of oppression. The textile operates as a quiet but powerful testament to the endurance of the human spirit.