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This still life by Maximilian Klewer, who was born in (Wuppertal-) Barmen in 1891, features a series of patterned fabrics which, arranged vertically side by side, form a dense ensemble. Black-and-white patterns – striped or chequered – dominate the scene, which is enlivened by red accents. Most striking is the cloth on the left of the picture, featuring a large star-shaped motif in the centre, entwined by delicate floral patterns and reminiscent of Central Asian tapestry art. The other fabrics are simpler in design; some are fringed, whilst on others the ironed creases are still visible. The cloths lie on a table, which they cover entirely. The painter chose local motifs for his still life. On the table, for example – as the largest object in the picture – stands a copper ‘Dröppelminna’, a bulbous coffee pot with a tap, typical of the Bergisch coffee table.
Klewer attended the Barmer School of Arts and Crafts from 1906 to 1910. During this time, he learnt to draw and paint from life: he produced numerous studies of nudes, plants and animals, as well as landscapes painted in rich colours and with a thick, impasto technique. Alongside self-portraits, still lifes – such as the ‘Cup Still Life’ from 1919 – feature prominently in his oeuvre.