Broek van ambassadeur A.H.J. Lovink c. 1948

Firma Noyen made these trousers for Ambassador A.H.J. Lovink at an unknown date. Look at how the black fabric of the trousers is interrupted by a strip of gold brocade that runs down the side of each leg: it is such a subtle but powerful gesture. The colour is really what makes it sing. I love the texture contrast, too. The black looks like a dense, matte wool, while the gold has this shimmer and reflective quality. Imagine running your hand across it: you could trace the pattern, a kind of tactile drawing in cloth. The whole thing speaks of formality and ritual, but there is also a human touch, a kind of humble elegance. It reminds me of the quiet power I see in the paintings of someone like Agnes Martin, who also knew how to do so much with so little. It is a testament to the fact that even the most functional object can become a site of artistic expression.