Strook kloskant met spinneweb c. 1920s

M. Schutten-Putters' lace, titled "Strook kloskant met spinneweb," is a delicate, web-like creation. The repetition of geometric shapes, like diamonds and semi circles, speaks to an intuitive process, a kind of meditative practice. The texture is what gets me. It's not just about the pattern, but the tiny knots and spaces between the threads. You can almost feel the artist's hands at work, pulling and twisting the material. Look closely, and you'll see imperfections, little quirks in the weaving that give it so much character. Each stitch feels like a breath, a tiny decision made in real-time. This reminds me a little of Agnes Martin’s work, which also uses grids and repetition. Both are concerned with this idea of the handmade, and finding beauty in simplicity. For both artists, it's about the process and all the tiny moments that make the whole thing sing.