Smokingvest van zwart laken, met diepe sjaalkraag, drie knopen en drie steekzakken; rug van zwart satijn (?) met bandje en gesp en voering van wit katoen 1916

This smoking vest of black cloth, with a deep shawl collar, was made by De (firma) Jong. I'm struck by the contrast between the dark exterior and the bright lining. When the tailor was choosing the materials for this vest, I wonder if they knew the way the white cotton would peek out, how it would frame the darkness. I can imagine them carefully cutting and stitching the fabric, feeling the weight of the black cloth in their hands, as they work to give form to their creation. Look at the way the light catches on the edge of the lapel, creating a subtle curve. It's a small detail, but it speaks to the care and attention that went into making this piece. It reminds me of Agnes Martin's grids, where each line is drawn with intention, creating a sense of calm and order. Each maker has a different sense of line, and each line has a slightly different feeling. Each artwork adds to the ongoing conversation, building on one another.