Textile Samples c. 1938

These Textile Samples were made by Edmond Lorts, sometime between 1855 and 1995, and I love how they remind us that art can be found in the most unexpected places! The samples are so charming, like little windows into a world of pattern and color. The texture isn’t something you immediately see; instead, you get a sense of how they might feel. In the bottom sample, there's this one red, almost cloud-like shape with these cool stripes inside – it’s like a little world all its own. The way Lorts plays with layering and repetition is something I also try to do in my own work. Seeing these samples makes me think about Anni Albers, who saw weaving as a form of drawing. It's a reminder that art isn’t always about making something precious or monumental, but about engaging with the world in a playful, curious way. It’s about seeing the potential for beauty and expression in the everyday.