Stalen bespanningsstof naar ontwerp van Theo Nieuwenhuis in passe-partout c. 1910

Theo Nieuwenhuis designed these fabric samples which are mounted in a passe-partout. Imagine the repetitive, almost meditative process, of creating these detailed patterns. What was Nieuwenhuis thinking as he worked? Were these designs meticulously planned, or did they evolve organically, one motif leading to the next? I find myself particularly drawn to the interplay of light and shadow in the bottom right sample – that sort of dark indigo, which creates an illusion of depth and texture, a sort of mysterious quality. These aren't paintings, of course, but they still share that embodied expression. Like a painter choosing a brushstroke, Nieuwenhuis made countless decisions about line, shape, and color. It’s easy to imagine him, surrounded by sketches and material samples, deep in thought. Artists are always in conversation with one another, across time and medium. It's the kind of exchange that keeps art alive, morphing, and always surprising us.