Pair of Satin Pillow Shams c. 1936

These satin pillow shams were made by Sebastian Simonet, sometime between 1855 and 1995. I love the way Simonet has arranged the blossoms, seemingly floating on this pale blue fabric. It’s like a dream of spring, or maybe a memory of a garden. Looking closely, you can see the hand of the artist—the delicate brushstrokes, the way the colors blend and bleed, creating a soft, hazy effect. The embroidered diamonds feel quite formal, but the loose, impressionistic flowers give the piece a gentle, homespun feeling. Notice how the leaves and stems are painted with a kind of breathless energy, like they’re reaching for the sun. This reminds me of botanical drawings by Maria Merian, who also had a knack for capturing the liveliness of plants. This piece, with its mix of care and looseness, sits in this really interesting space between fine art and craft. It suggests that art isn’t just about skill; it’s about how you see and feel the world, and that’s something anyone can do.