Bag c. early 20th century

This Bag, made by an anonymous artist and held at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, seems to me like a labour of love and precision. I imagine someone carefully, patiently stitching away, creating a world in miniature. The colours are muted, earthy – reds, blues, and yellows on a beige ground. The design is symmetrical, almost like a Rorschach test. There are trees and animals, all rendered in tiny, intricate stitches. I wonder what the artist was thinking as they worked. Were they telling a story, or simply enjoying the rhythm of the needle? As a painter, I'm always fascinated by how different mediums can achieve similar effects. The texture of the stitching reminds me of impasto, the way thick paint can create depth and dimension on a canvas. This little bag is a reminder that art can be found in the most unexpected places and how artists are constantly in conversation with each other, across time and media.