Coverlet c. 1940

Cornelius Christoffels made this coverlet sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. The squares of blue and off-white are so mesmerizing—I can only imagine the act of weaving itself. It’s so repetitive, and so physical, like some kind of meditative dance. I feel for Cornelius, I do. To work on such a detailed piece, there must have been intense concentration. But the beauty of craft, like the beauty of painting, lies in the imperfections, the slight deviations from the grid. It reminds us of the human touch, the artist’s hand. Look at how those blue squares form circles within squares. It’s like he’s playing with our perception, creating depth and movement on a flat surface. The textile is not just a functional object; it’s a visual puzzle, a testament to the Christoffels' creativity and skill. There’s conversation and exchange here with Anni Albers, an inspiring textile artist from the Bauhaus school.