Quilt (Section) c. 1936

This "Quilt (Section)" was designed by Barnes, sometime between 1855 and 1995. This is a design for a quilt, but it also feels like an abstract painting, a formal exercise in colour and composition. Look at the way the artist uses thin washes of colour, almost like watercolour, to build up these complex floral forms. The surface is translucent, so we see layer upon layer of brushstrokes, giving a depth and richness to the design. It’s kind of wild how the textures combine to create depth. The leaves have this veiny texture, like actual leaves, but then the flowers have these spiky edges, which create a really different kind of tactile feeling. The brown "leafy" pattern that frames the piece kind of reminds me of Matisse cut outs. You can almost feel the artist cutting shapes from paper and arranging them on the canvas. Ultimately, this work proves that art is not about perfect reproduction, but more about feeling, about the joy of making and seeing.