Jacket c. 20th century

This eye-catching jacket, made by an anonymous artist, lives at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It's a deep, luxurious red with elaborate gold embellishments, like juicy swirls that seem to pop right off the fabric. When I look at this jacket, I'm immediately drawn to the texture. The velvet-like fabric creates a surface that begs to be touched. The embroidery is precise, and the artist clearly knew the craft. The gold thread shimmers against the red, creating a beautiful contrast. It is so obviously handmade, and I can almost feel the maker's hands working on it. The swirls around the shoulders remind me a bit of Matisse cut-outs, although I doubt the creator was thinking of Matisse. It's more likely they were tapping into a tradition of folk art, where patterns and colors have a symbolic language. Like much folk art, this jacket feels both personal and universal, a reminder that art is a conversation that goes on and on.