Fragment zijdeweefsel met opgedrukt patroon c. 1920

This fragment of printed silk was made in the early 20th century by the Wiener Werkstätte. It's a fascinating piece because it speaks to the intersection of art and craft, which is something I think about a lot in my own work. The fabric itself has a lovely, almost aged quality, with a pattern that feels both delicate and bold. Look at the motifs – these stylized figures and floral elements, rendered in muted reds and blues against the neutral silk. There’s a charming imperfection to the print, a slight blurring of the lines, that reveals the hand of the maker. It reminds me a bit of Matisse’s cut-outs, in the way it simplifies form to its essential elements. Both artists share a similar impulse to flatten space and celebrate the beauty of simple shapes. The Wiener Werkstätte, like the Bauhaus, was interested in bringing good design to everyday life, and this fragment is a testament to that vision. It's not just a piece of fabric; it's a little piece of art.