Design from a Proposed Portfolio 1935 - 1942

Majel G. Claflin’s “Design from a Proposed Portfolio” is made from gouache and graphite on paper. Look at these painted floral motifs with their bold outlines! The paint is so flat and opaque, like little paper cut-outs, sitting so neatly on the page. I can imagine Claflin carefully mixing her colors, maybe even adding a touch of white to make them just so. She seems to have enjoyed playing with color combinations. What was she thinking as she arranged these elements? I bet she was inspired by art nouveau, with its sinuous lines. But there’s also something about the boldness of this color, that makes me think of Matisse. The way she varies the scale and the composition of each motif gives it such a playful touch. It makes you think about the endless possibilities of decoration and design. Artists throughout time have drawn inspiration from each other, each adding their own unique twist. So, in a way, we are all in conversation, and in this piece I think I hear echoes of Matisse meeting art nouveau!