Bedspread c. 1936

Isabelle De Strange drafted this bedspread design in pencil and watercolor. The red ribbons and rosettes carry echoes of festive decoration, but the pattern of interlocking triangles hints at something deeper. Consider how rosettes, symbolizing cyclical renewal, recur in the Palace of Knossos from the Minoan civilization on Crete. The geometric pattern, echoed in the arrangement of the triangles, is reminiscent of medieval rose windows. The rose window has a transformative quality, drawing the eye upwards and inwards, eliciting introspection. Such patterns may unconsciously recall sacred geometries and mandalas, triggering subconscious recognition that transcends cultural boundaries. Despite cultural specificities, the deep-seated emotional and psychological aspects are triggered, engaging viewers on a profound, often subconscious level. Symbols persist and transform, creating a dynamic interplay between past and present.