Borduurpatroon 1809 - 1837

Curator: Borduurpatroon, or Embroidery Pattern, created by Pieter Bartholomeusz Barbiers between 1809 and 1837. It’s a drawing made with pen and ink on paper, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. I notice right away its rather simplistic style; it reminds me a bit of folk art. What strikes you initially? Editor: I agree; it does have a primitive charm! The geometric patterns are visually interesting, though. How do you interpret this work? Curator: This piece speaks to the hidden histories of craft and labor, especially that of women. Embroidery, often relegated to the domestic sphere, has historically been a crucial form of expression and even resistance for women. Consider how such patterns circulated – who created them, who used them, and what stories might they embody? We must consider, too, that Neoclassicism had a heavy influence at this time; therefore, how are the seemingly simple, almost naïve decorations in the patterns actually well considered artistic, even political choices? Editor: So you're saying that what might appear to be just a simple craft is, in reality, a record of the creative life and possibly a form of agency for women? Curator: Precisely! These patterns served practical functions and also preserved and transmitted cultural knowledge and personal expression. And remember that drawings were often considered a lesser artform. Bringing drawings out from the background calls attention to marginalized creativity and ingenuity, pushing us to rethink our assumptions about artistic skill, labor, and worth. Editor: That's a fascinating perspective. It makes me look at the piece in a whole new light – no longer just seeing it as an antiquated pattern, but as an understated representation of everyday existence and women's hidden work. Curator: Exactly! By engaging with these works, we can see connections across different historical contexts, highlighting the continuity of certain creative and resistant acts.