Gordijn met vlinderpatroon in roze op beige grond 1909 - 1924

Theo Nieuwenhuis made this curtain with a butterfly pattern in pink on a beige background, but we don’t know exactly when. There's something both calming and energizing about this piece. It's all about the process of layering color and pattern. The beige ground feels like a blank canvas, a starting point. And then, this delicate pink butterfly pattern emerges, not quite perfectly aligned, which is actually what makes it so interesting. It's like a dance between control and accident, a balance I appreciate. I love how the texture of the fabric peeks through the pattern. It reminds me that art isn't just about the image, but also about the materials, the surface, and the feel. The subtle shifts in color, the way the pink interacts with the beige, create a sense of depth and movement. It's as if the butterflies are gently fluttering across the surface. This piece makes me think of Anni Albers, who like Nieuwenhuis explored pattern and abstraction.