Mutsenslip van applicatiekant met grote bloem c. 1908 - 1918

This is a length of lace, made by Koninklijke Nederlandsche Kantwerkschool. Its form is striking, offering a delicate balance between complex floral patterns and open space. Notice how the eye is drawn to the intricate floral designs at each end, which act as focal points. These denser areas of elaborate needlework contrast with the scattered, smaller floral motifs that populate the central space. This contrast creates a rhythm, a visual pulse that moves across the piece. The edges are defined by a repeating looped pattern, framing the composition and adding a tactile quality. The semiotic function of lace has often represented status, refinement and femininity. Yet here the open structure invites us to look beyond such limiting definitions. The interplay of positive and negative space challenges fixed interpretations, suggesting instead a fluidity, reflecting how meaning is produced through both presence and absence. The work destabilizes established meanings, inviting an ongoing dialogue.