Servet van linnendamast met een geometrisch patroon waarin het ingeweven monogram PB c. 1908 - 1912

This is a linen damask napkin, designed by Peter Behrens. I love that it takes on the appearance of a geometric painting, composed of squares, rectangles, and lines that intersect to form a pattern. I can imagine Behrens at his desk, sketching and planning this intricate design, considering the interplay of light and shadow, the texture of the linen, and the overall effect of the piece. It is so different from my own messy, gestural practice! But I can't help but feel some kinship with the artist and his process of problem-solving. I imagine he might have encountered the same uncertainty as I do, and the same exhilaration when everything snaps into place. The monogram "PB" woven into the pattern is a subtle reminder of the artist's hand, a personal touch in an otherwise cool and rational design. It reminds me of a signature on a painting, a mark of authorship and ownership, a way to say: I made this.