Materials from Patchwork Bedspread c. 1936

Frances Lichten made this watercolour study of patchwork bedspread fabrics sometime in the 20th century, and I find it so charming. I love the way the small fabric swatches float on the page, each a little world of pattern and color. The colour palette is earthy and muted, with browns, creams, and touches of red and green. Lichten's brushstrokes are delicate, almost hesitant, as if she's trying to capture the essence of each fabric without overpowering it. The paint is thin, transparent in places, allowing the texture of the paper to show through. Look at the bottom left sample. It’s so minimal, just a faint line and tiny splodge of green. It’s less about representation, more about suggestion. This feels like a cousin to the work of someone like Agnes Martin, where simplicity and repetition create a sense of calm and contemplation. It’s a reminder that art doesn't always have to shout; sometimes, the quietest voices are the most profound.