Fabric Coverings with Patterns of Gillyflowers and Water Lilies c. 1911 - 1915

Chris Lebeau made this fabric covering with patterns of gillyflowers and water lilies, though we don't know exactly when. The cool palette creates a calm, almost meditative feel, and it's easy to imagine the rhythm of the loom as Lebeau developed the repeated patterns of stylised flowers. Each vertical stripe reads like an individual stroke of the brush in a painting, building to a complex, layered surface. Look closer, and you see how the subtle variations in tone and texture give the fabric depth and visual interest, creating a shimmering effect not unlike looking at water. There's something of William Morris's Arts and Crafts movement in Lebeau's appreciation of the handmade, but I’m also reminded of Agnes Martin’s minimalist grids. Both artists share an interest in simple forms, repetition, and the beauty of imperfection. Ultimately, the fabric invites us to slow down and appreciate the beauty of simple forms and subtle variations.