Coverlet c. 1940

Cornelius Christoffels made this coverlet design, of unknown date, with pen and ink and watercolor on paper. Look at the way the intersecting lines create these varying textures. It's the process, the working through, that grabs me here. What really gets me going is the surface. The weave isn't perfectly represented. You can see where Christoffels has gone over areas, correcting them or layering more ink for emphasis. These aren't just diagrams; they are thoughtful representations of how fabric is made. The variations in the palette are what make this so enticing. The simple range of blues and grays is offset by the complexity of the patterns and textures. It's the kind of thing that makes you want to reach out and touch it. This piece reminds me of Anni Albers and her weaving practice. Both explore the boundaries between craft and fine art, inviting us to reconsider the value we place on different forms of making.