Deksel behorend bij een pot, met parellijst en biezen c. 1904 - 1910

This is a lid for a pot, made in Amstelhoek, probably a while ago, and it’s got these pearl-like textures and stripes that are just so understated. When I look at this, I think about how art is really a process of slow accumulation. It’s not just about one big, bold gesture, but a million tiny ones, right? And this lid, it’s all about the details: that creamy, almost-white glaze, the delicate rings of green and gold, and that little knob on top, like a tiny sculpture. If you run your eyes over the surface you can see the artist’s hand in it. You can see the way the glaze pools and crackles, and how it catches the light, almost like it’s breathing. And for me, that’s what makes it so special, so human. It reminds me of Agnes Martin’s work, in a weird way, because both artists are using repetition and subtle variations to create something that's both simple and profound. It leaves you with the sense that there is no such thing as a ‘minor art’ – everything can be elevated to the sublime.