Shaker Case for Knitting Needles 1935 - 1942

Elizabeth Moutal made this painting of a Shaker Case for Knitting Needles sometime in the 20th century, though the exact date is unknown. Moutal uses a muted palette, primarily blues and browns, that lends a quiet, contemplative mood to the image. Looking closely, you can see the physicality of the medium; it’s like the watercolour paint is almost caressing the fabric, trying to understand how it folds and bends. See the lower part of the case where the shadows gather, and two needles seem to float in the dark like stars? The strokes there are darker, more insistent. They convey a sense of volume, of depth. And above, the lighter, shimmering blues hint at the fabric's sheen, like the memory of a summer sky. Moutal’s approach reminds me of Agnes Martin’s delicate touch and concern for rendering the subtle qualities of light and form. It speaks to a lineage of artists interested in the tactile, in the way materials evoke emotion and memory. Ultimately, it suggests that art is not about answers but rather, about the endless possibilities of seeing and feeling.