Coverlet Detail c. 1936

Cornelius Christoffels made this ‘Coverlet Detail’ with what looks like watercolor or gouache on paper. The colours are muted: a kind of faded denim blue and a warm brick red, organised in a grid system. It’s interesting how Christoffels has used the grid to build up the image. It reminds me of how patterns emerge through repetition and variation, not unlike how certain minimalist painters build up an image. Zooming in, you can see the process of how each mark builds up, and the way the artist embraces the small imperfections. Look at the central rectangle and the way it differs from the rest of the detail; the marks feel tighter and more compact. This shift in the mark making creates a focal point and suggests a kind of visual breathing. Like Anni Albers and other textile artists, Christoffels seems interested in how patterns can be both visually appealing and deeply meaningful. It’s a testament to how art can be found in the everyday.