Bedspread
c. 1936
Swirling ribbons of hot pink, deep blue, and chocolate brown dance across the page, creating a floral explosion that feels like a 1930s psychedelic dream. A handwritten note at the top reveals the secret purpose of this vibrant composition: it is a 'master plate for silk screen' created by Elena Wiswall to replicate a traditional New Mexican 'Colcha' bedspread. Likely produced around 1936, this design served as a crucial tool for documenting and reviving Hispanic folk crafts in the American Southwest during the Great Depression. The bold, flat colors transform a traditional embroidery pattern into a striking piece of graphic art, showing how old-world traditions were preserved through New Deal programs.
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