Handwerk met Bourbon lelies c. 1900

Curator: Before us is "Handwerk met Bourbon lelies," a mixed-media textile work by Aagje Tiket, dating back to around 1900. Editor: It strikes me immediately as restrained. The limited palette, the geometric exactness—it's almost austere, despite the floral motif. Curator: Precisely. Notice how the textile itself forms the ground for this complex layering of patterns. The central diamond, subtly offset from the square field, generates a push and pull across the surface, drawing attention to the handcraft involved in the process. Editor: That Bourbon lily motif, though... what was its significance at the turn of the century? Was this a subtle assertion of status, perhaps even monarchist sympathies, expressed within a domestic craft? It feels pointed given other artistic movements taking hold at this time. Curator: Interesting point! Focusing solely on the formal elements, though, the symmetry within the lily pattern creates an intense visual rhythm, amplified by the contrast of positive and negative space. It draws the eye inward and reflects the stylization we see repeated in Art Nouveau. Editor: I wonder where this textile might have been displayed? Was it intended for a private boudoir, a more public salon? Aagje Tiket, after all, was producing this amidst shifts in textile production; how does this handcrafted item resist, or engage with, the rise of machine-made goods? Curator: Such an enquiry speaks to the tensions between craft and industry. However, consider also the materiality; the delicate weave of the fabric against the slightly raised texture of the blue elements enhances depth perception. This creates almost a three-dimensional effect on an otherwise flat surface. Editor: It’s far more complicated than a mere pattern; a story in the language of the textile industry is evident! A beautiful relic from this period! Curator: A harmonious dance between line, form and materiality creates a visually striking composition that still speaks to us.