Zakdoek met rand van applicatiekant met sikkelbladeren c. 1903 - 1904

This small square of linen and lace, made at the Kantwerkschool in Apeldoorn, invites a sense of calm, of careful and repetitive gestures. I imagine someone patiently working on it, building up the pattern, stitch by stitch. The neutral tones create a soft, delicate feeling. The sickle-shaped leaves are echoed in the curves and scallops, giving a sense of rhythm and flow. I love the contrast between the dense floral border and the open, airy centre, a quiet space like a pause, or a breath, before returning to the intricacies of the lacework. Looking at this piece, I'm reminded of Agnes Martin's grid paintings. Different materials, of course, but that same commitment to repetition, quietness, and close observation. Artists share ideas and ways of thinking across time. This piece is a beautiful example of how simple materials and repetitive gestures can create something both beautiful and thought-provoking.