Printed Textile c. 1941

Ernest Capaldo’s printed textile, made without a specified date, is all warmth and charm. It looks like it emerged through layering, each form, color, and line a response to the last. I can imagine Capaldo, brush in hand, coaxing these roses and vines into being, maybe humming a tune. The roses are thick and luscious, like dollops of cream, while the vines twist and turn, creating an intricate dance across the fabric. It reminds me of those old botanical illustrations, but with a modern, almost Fauvist twist. The colors—earthy reds, greens, and browns—feel both comforting and rich. There's a clear intention to create beauty, a way to celebrate the natural world through art. I feel that Capaldo and his contemporaries were having a conversation, riffing off each other's ideas and techniques. In art, we are constantly drawing inspiration from the past and paving the way for the future. Ultimately, it's about embracing the unknown, allowing the art to lead you where it wants to go.