Bedspread 1935 - 1942

Curator: This delicate piece is called "Bedspread," and we believe it was created sometime between 1935 and 1942 by Henry Granet. What do you make of it? Editor: It has a lovely, quiet, almost dreamlike quality. The neutral tones and symmetrical design create a soothing impression. I’m particularly drawn to the texture implied by the design. It really looks touchable, handmade. Curator: Precisely! While on the surface, it appears to be a drawing, perhaps a preliminary sketch, this work relates strongly to the "pattern and decoration" movement which strove to elevate crafts such as textile design to the level of fine art. Editor: So it challenges this traditional hierarchy, doesn't it? I imagine the intensive labor behind executing this kind of detailed design, particularly the act of imprinting this on the fabric, whatever that process might entail, and I see it as a form of skill worthy of serious artistic consideration. The level of craftsmanship indicates it should be placed among other, higher "art forms." Curator: That's an interesting take on it. Contextually, Granet’s work, along with many of his peers during that period, really brought design from beyond its commercial and utilitarian placement within society, particularly around the time when the boundaries between decoration, function and fine art started to blur in American society. The idea of something so meticulously crafted for everyday use... Editor: The intended functionality adds another layer, doesn't it? A bedspread offers warmth, comfort, a sense of security. The design, with its repeated motifs and central medallion, echoes these feelings. I’d love to get a sense of the human engagement in the manufacturing process; who was responsible for creating the original design or who imprinted them on fabric? Where the material and designs would be purchased or distributed… Curator: Granet and other artists and designers such as his contemporaries were part of the vanguard in thinking of pattern and function. This re-evaluation encouraged new display avenues and considerations by the public of functional pieces and their aesthetic roles. Editor: Well, I am going to leave today pondering the amount of energy that was given to a bedspread; I appreciate that this exhibition opens a larger view of how craft design continues to be valued through historical and art perspectives. Curator: Indeed! "Bedspread" not only showcases the artistic and historical relevance of textile design, but it also challenges us to reassess our perceptions of labor, function, and art.