Sampler 1935 - 1942

Editor: This piece, titled "Sampler," is by Elizabeth Valentine, dating from around 1935 to 1942. It appears to be a mixed-media work combining drawing and textile elements. There's an interesting tension between the almost naive folk art style and the intricate detail. How would you interpret its composition, particularly the layered scenes? Curator: From a formalist perspective, the "Sampler" offers a complex interplay of visual planes. Observe how Valentine employs distinct registers to separate the textual elements from the figurative scenes. Each section presents a different mode of representation, almost as independent studies brought together in a cohesive whole. Editor: I see what you mean. The alphabet and verse at the top act as a header, visually distinct from the narratives below. But what does it signify formally? Curator: It signifies the fundamental structure inherent within the artwork, the clear visual boundaries, acting as semiotic markers. The contrasting textures and medium enhance the deliberate visual compartmentalization, thus providing an intrinsic reading experience which is then visually and conceptually complete within itself. Are you also noting how the floral border emphasizes the self-contained quality of this "Sampler?" Editor: Yes, it's like a frame within a frame, drawing attention to the internal relationships between the elements. The drawing combined with needlework emphasizes that handmade construction. The black ground further sets off and highlights this effect. The relationship of color is very simple: green, brown, white and black and some slight variants are very clearly and simply composed to build a series of interesting scenes. Curator: Precisely. It invites closer inspection and a formal reading as a piece. The overall impact is thus very well harmonized, without relying upon contextual clues. The relationships between its material construction and aesthetic elements are quite considered, providing the viewer with great nuance for investigation. Editor: That gives me a fresh outlook! Curator: It is the beauty of formalism to view an art's essence directly from its materials.