Prikking voor het maken van een deel van een kraag van naaldkant c. 1915s

This drawing for a needle lace collar, by a Belgian internee in Amersfoort, is a map of a process as much as it is an image. The artist has laid out a pattern of radiating lines, like a spider’s web, and this acts as a guide for the creation of the lace itself. It's fascinating to see the bare bones of the design laid out so clearly. Look at how the floral and foliate motifs are integrated into this rigorous underlying structure. The artist hasn't tried to conceal the working process; instead, the structure is foregrounded and becomes an integral part of the design. The drawing reminds me of the work of Ree Morton, who also combined a love of the decorative with a very clear understanding of structure and process. It suggests that art is not just about the finished product, but about the journey of making itself. An approach that leaves space for improvisation, accidents, and new ideas to emerge.