Embroidered Velvet Vest c. 1937

Majel G. Claflin made this watercolor of an embroidered velvet vest, sometime in the first half of the twentieth century. The velvety dark background is punctuated by these pinkish-red leaves, scattered and shimmering. You can almost feel the plushness of the fabric. Claflin gives real attention to the way the light catches on the nap of the velvet, and the way the leaves seem to float on the surface, each one slightly different from the others. It’s really about a play of textures and contrasts, soft against hard, light against dark. Look at how she’s handled the folds and creases, suggesting the weight and drape of the garment. She knew the painting would come alive through that kind of close observation. There's a real kinship between Claflin's approach here and someone like Agnes Martin, another artist who found endless fascination in the subtleties of surface and the power of repeated forms. Both artists show us that art isn't about grand gestures, but about the quiet moments of seeing and feeling.