Bedcover (Quilt Top) after 1850

This bedcover was made by Susan (Mumma) Major, using fabric and thread, and is now housed at the Art Institute of Chicago. At first glance, the quilt presents a symmetrical arrangement of floral patterns. Four large circles, each containing a cross-like figure, dominate the central field, while winding vines laden with red blossoms frame the edges, creating a rhythmic visual cadence. However, upon closer inspection, the regularity dissolves into a play of subtle variations. The imperfect stitching and slight misalignments disrupt the potential for absolute symmetry, infusing the work with a sense of organic vitality. The composition suggests a deeper engagement with the principles of structuralism. The repeated floral motifs function as signs within a semiotic system, reflecting the cultural codes and values of domesticity, nature, and remembrance. It also hints at the deconstruction of traditional forms, challenging fixed meanings and categories. The use of quilting as a medium, traditionally associated with domestic craft, subverts the rigid hierarchies between art and craft. The quilt invites us to reconsider the ways in which meaning is constructed.