Printed Textiles c. 1940

Ernest Capaldo made this printed textile in red and black—maybe using a screenprint or block printing technique? It makes me think about process. What was Capaldo thinking as he layered image upon image: a cheetah leaping from the jungle, hunters on horseback, and pomegranates scattered at the cat's feet. I can see him carefully placing the blocks of color. Maybe he was thinking about other artists like William Morris, who wanted art to be part of everyday life. The textile looks like it could be a fragment, maybe cut off from a larger piece of fabric? It is amazing how the work of an artist can take on different meanings and associations over time and through use. Ultimately, painting and textile production is an ongoing dialogue, a conversation across generations. The medium embraces uncertainty, inviting multiple stories and interpretations.