Hooked Rug 1935 - 1942

Editor: Here we have Lillian M. Mosseller’s "Hooked Rug," a colored pencil and watercolor drawing, likely created between 1935 and 1942. It strikes me as quite formal and symmetrical. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It's intriguing how the artist uses very simple forms – leaves, spirals, flowers – arranged with that near-perfect symmetry. These geometric patterns are deeply embedded in our visual culture. Do you think that this reflects an ordered view of nature, perhaps of domestic life, where things were organized, repetitive and calm? Editor: Maybe, but the slightly muted colors and visible pencil strokes give it a hand-made, folk-art feel too, which could contrast with perfect order. It doesn’t feel mass-produced. Curator: Precisely! Think about the historical context. During the Depression era, handmade objects gained significance as sources of both comfort and economic activity. Perhaps it embodies memory and continuity. Before industrialization, what stories and traditions do you think were typically linked to things such as home decor or handicrafts? Editor: I suppose objects were less disposable; they represented family history or skills passed down through generations. This design maybe connects to traditional rug patterns… like a link with simpler times? Curator: Exactly. This rug, real or imagined, links the owner to community traditions and family values, particularly during difficult times. Visual imagery has an inherent potential to represent a form of emotional support across time. Editor: I hadn’t considered that level of emotional depth connected to geometric design. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! These works offer powerful insights into shared human experience and memory.