Coverlet c. 1936

This is Coverlet, made by Ruth Barnes, a painter born in 1855. The pale blue floral patterns on the linen feel so delicate. I get the sense that Barnes was exploring artmaking as a process, almost meditative. The physicality of the piece is what really strikes me. The way the blue thread traces the forms, leaving these tiny raised dots that create a gentle texture. It’s almost as though she’s sketching with thread. Take a close look at the tendrils that form the main pattern. See how they're not quite symmetrical, almost like a mirror playing tricks? It gives the piece a lively, organic feel. This focus on process and quiet observation reminds me a little of Agnes Martin’s subtle grids, but Barnes brings a unique, homespun quality. It shows how art can be an ongoing conversation across different times and different media.