Stoplap van katoen op linnen c. 1880

This 'Stoplap van katoen op linnen' was created by Johanna Hendrika Scholtz, who was born in 1861, using cotton on linen. This mending sampler embodies the quiet diligence of domestic craft. It also asks us to consider the labor, often gendered and undervalued, involved in the upkeep of our material world. The regularity of the grid contrasts with the subtle imperfections and repairs visible in the fabric. These repairs speak to histories of use, reflecting an ethos of care and conservation that challenges today's culture of disposability. Scholtz’s work invites us to reflect on the ways in which textiles can be both deeply personal and culturally significant. The act of mending, of preserving and extending the life of an object, becomes a poignant statement about value, memory, and sustainability.