Stoplap van veelkleurige zijde en linnen op katoenen mousseline. 1798

Hendrika van Wijk created this 'Stoplap van veelkleurige zijde en linnen op katoenen mousseline' with silk and linen on cotton. Here, we observe a series of crosses, a symbol of intersection and convergence. The cross is one of humanity's oldest symbols, predating Christianity, where it represents cosmic balance in many cultures. Look at the intricate patterns within each cross, each a microcosm of design. Consider how this motif appears on ancient Greek pottery, symbolizing the meeting of divine and earthly realms. Or its echoes in the architecture of Gothic cathedrals, where the cross-shaped floor plan guides the eye heavenward. Each appearance marks an evolution, a shift in the collective psyche. The simple act of stitching these crosses becomes a ritual, a meditation on connection and continuity.