Stoplap met verticale en horizontale rijgdraden, die de lap in vierkanten en rechthoeken verdelen, waarin witte en veelkleurige stoppen; ongemerkt en niet gedateerd c. 1888 - 1894

This is an undated textile work titled "Stoplap met verticale en horizontale rijgdraden" by G. Glas, which translates to "Darning sampler with vertical and horizontal threads." Its grid-like structure, formed by stitched lines, divides the cloth into a series of squares and rectangles, each containing unique patterns of colorful darns. In its original cultural context, a piece like this would have served a practical function: to teach and preserve the craft of mending. Yet, the repetitive, almost meditative quality of the stitches transforms this humble object into a powerful statement about domestic labor, particularly for women. The act of darning becomes a metaphor for repair and care, reflecting not only the mending of fabric but also the emotional work often invisibly performed. The grid could be interpreted as a representation of the constraints and structures within which domestic labor is traditionally confined. The darning sampler offers a rich perspective on the intersections of gender, labor, and artistic expression embedded in everyday objects.