Wall Paper and Border c. 1936

Elizabeth Valentine created this design for "Wall Paper and Border" using watercolour, gouache, and graphite. The composition is dominated by a symmetrical arrangement, featuring an almost theatrical stage-like space. Columns, floral garlands, and swags frame a central motif: a triangular portrait of George Washington set upon a pedestal. The colour palette is soft, employing muted pinks, blues, and yellows, which give the design a gentle, decorative quality. Valentine’s formalism here involves a fascinating interplay of geometric and organic forms. The rigid architectural elements contrast with the flowing lines of the floral patterns, creating a dynamic tension. The work destabilizes conventional portraiture. It challenges fixed meanings by embedding a historical figure in a highly stylized, almost dreamlike setting. The semiotic structure encourages an interpretation of cultural codes related to national identity, domesticity, and artistic representation. Valentine offers a space for ongoing interpretation, inviting us to consider the fluid nature of cultural symbols.