Halsdoek van effen zwarte zijde c. 1930 - 1940

This “Halsdoek van effen zwarte zijde” or "Plain Black Silk Scarf" was made by W. Rowe, but the date of its creation is unknown. It is a garment, with a focus on contrasts. The piece’s stark contrast between black and white, the dark fabric tied in a loose knot against the simple, light cloth of the garment, hints at a kind of performance. The material, silk, gives it a certain sheen and fluidity, with the drape of the fabric creating a sense of movement. It is the artist's manipulation of the materials, the knot of the scarf, the lines of the garment, which define the work. The choice of black and white itself is a statement. It brings to mind the work of Manet, who was a master of using a limited palette to create a powerful sense of form and light. Ultimately, it's a conversation between the artist and the materials, a dance between the expected and the unexpected, with the viewer as an invited participant.