Coverlet c. 1937

This red and cream coverlet was made by Cornelius Christoffels, who lived from 1879 to 1960. Look closely at the surface; it’s a ground of cream with these incredible red shapes all over it: birds, vases of flowers, and buildings stacked up. I can imagine Christoffels making this, working maybe in a small room, carefully inking the design, pressing it onto the fabric, repeating and repeating it to make this pattern. Each motif feels intentionally placed, yet together they create something spontaneous. I bet he didn't worry too much about perfection. Instead, he used repeated shapes to make meaning, like the buildings on the edges. They remind me of the edges of a painting, where artists often repeat shapes. It feels like an invitation to find a place of rest and imagine where it might take you. When I look at textiles like this I know I am in the presence of art making where ideas mix and inspire across time.