Wall Paper c. 1936

Editor: So, this is "Wall Paper" from around 1936, a watercolor and ink drawing on paper by George Robin. It’s so delicate; it reminds me of a vintage room, but something about the color palette feels a bit melancholic. What symbols or stories do you see within this pattern? Curator: Interesting observation. Immediately, I'm drawn to how Robin utilizes simple floral motifs and geometric forms. Notice how the vertical stripes might symbolize order and structure, a very popular approach at that time. But those floral elements—do they strike you as joyful, or something else? Perhaps slightly mournful, like drooping flora pressed into service? Editor: I hadn’t thought of it like that…mournful. The subdued colors also add to the melancholy! It feels so different from today’s vibrant patterns. Why this kind of repetition of motifs? Curator: Precisely. Repetition in patterns like this is crucial. Think of wallpaper’s primary function: to fill a space, creating an atmosphere. Each element multiplies, reinforcing emotional effect. Floral images are rich with cultural history of their own, connected to mortality, nature's cycles. What kind of 'nature' are these blossoms reminding you of? Tamed nature in your living room or something wilder, sadder? Editor: Tamed, but with an undercurrent of fading. It's interesting how a seemingly simple pattern can carry so much symbolic weight related to nature and even emotion! Curator: Exactly. These echoes from the past become tangible, influencing how we experience space and, indeed, our own cultural memory of ‘home’. This Wallpaper gives me something of the echo of memories long ago, and what the notion of home may be. Editor: I will never look at floral wallpaper the same way again! Thanks for your amazing insight on those cultural symbols.