Servet Eeuwfeest Nederlandse onafhankelijkheid 1813-1913 1913

This linen napkin was woven by Koninklijke Weverij Van Dijk to celebrate the centennial of Dutch independence. Imagine the weavers carefully setting up the looms, threading each strand with precision. I see the pattern slowly emerging, like an image coming into focus in a darkroom. The creamy white thread creates delicate floral motifs, intertwined with leaves and perhaps symbols of Dutch pride. I wonder if the weavers felt a sense of national pride as they worked on this piece. It makes me think about all the hands that touched this napkin. From the designer who conceived the pattern, to the workers operating the looms, and the person who carefully folded it. It embodies the shared history and collective effort of a community. It reminds me that art is often the result of collaboration and shared purpose.