[Coverlet - section] c. 1940

Cornelius Christoffels made this section of a coverlet, probably during his lifetime, using woven fiber. The careful arrangement of colours suggests a real attentiveness to the process of artmaking. The texture is fascinating, like a field of tiny dashes and dots, each one a little decision. I find myself wondering, where did he start, and how did he build this up? Each small square seems to be having a conversation with the next, creating a rhythm that’s both steady and surprising. Notice the blue-black and pale grey threads that define the plaid; the surface isn’t smooth, it’s got a real topography to it. The weaving here almost has more in common with pointillism than with textiles. It reminds me a bit of the work of Anni Albers, but with a quieter, more subdued palette. It's a reminder that art isn't always about grand statements; sometimes it's about the beauty of simple, repeated gestures.