Detail of Coverlet: Technique Demonstration 1935 - 1942

Cornelius Christoffels created this technique demonstration of a coverlet using graphite and watercolor. Christoffels was born in Rotterdam and later became an instructor at the School of Design and Applied Arts in Haarlem. The coverlet is rendered in four stages, from the initial grid to a fully realized textile design. The grid demonstrates the underlying structure that allows patterns to emerge, like how identities are formed through intersecting social structures. We see this grid transform as it’s overlaid with various patterns and colors. These colors and patterns represent the nuances of individual expression within the confines of societal expectations. The transition from the initial grid to a colorful, textured textile is like moving from the abstract to the personal. We can think of the finished coverlet as a metaphor for the many layers that make up our identities. How do you see your own identity reflected in this grid of patterns, and what colors would you use to define yourself?