Printed Textile c. 1938

This textile design was created by Eleanor Rogers, most likely in the early to mid-20th century, using watercolor and graphite. Immediately, one notices the striking geometric patterns. Zigzag lines formed by carefully shaded squares cascade down the textile, creating a visually engaging rhythm. The artist's formal arrangement appears deceptively simple. Rogers explores depth and dimension through the strategic use of color and tone. The varying shades of brown and gray give the squares a three-dimensional quality, making the pattern seem to undulate and shift before our eyes. Note also the calculated placement of warmer orange hues. The pattern borders a decorative edge of green geometrical shapes. This combination of geometric abstraction with naturalistic hues reflects broader artistic and philosophical concerns of the early 20th century, such as the search for universal forms and the exploration of perception. The visual tension and spatial ambiguity invites viewers to question fixed perspectives and engage with new ways of seeing.