Applique Coverlet (Detail) 1941

This is a detail of an Applique Coverlet made by Adolph Opstad. Birds and flowers, rendered in simple embroidery, dominate the composition. Birds, universally, are potent symbols. They signify freedom, the soul, messengers between worlds. In ancient Greece, birds were associated with prophecy and divine communication; consider the augurs who interpreted the flight patterns of birds to foresee the future. In Christianity, the dove represents the Holy Spirit, symbolizing peace and purity. Our avian friend here, perched among the flowers, seems to echo these sentiments. The flowers, too, resonate deeply. Blossoms are emblems of beauty, fragility, and the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth. Think of Botticelli's "Primavera," where flowers scattered across the canvas evoke a sense of renewal and the arrival of spring. This coverlet, crafted with simple materials, taps into a wellspring of collective memory, reminding us of nature's enduring presence and the timeless human connection to the natural world. The maker's hand, guided by tradition, unconsciously weaves these ancient symbols into a new tapestry.