Plate 49: From Portfolio "Spanish Colonial Designs of New Mexico" 1935 - 1942

This intriguing plate of Spanish Colonial designs from New Mexico is painted with watercolors on paper. The anonymous artist has rendered a series of decorative bands, each a variation on geometric and floral motifs, with clear outlines and bold color choices. The use of watercolors, typically associated with preparatory sketches or amateur art, suggests a focus on documentation rather than high art. It also speaks to the availability and affordability of materials. The designs themselves may have been sourced from architectural details, textiles, or other everyday objects. The act of copying and compiling these designs raises interesting questions about cultural exchange and appropriation. Are these faithful reproductions, or has the artist reinterpreted the motifs through their own lens? What does it mean to preserve and present these designs in a portfolio format? Ultimately, this plate invites us to consider the complex interplay of tradition, adaptation, and individual expression in the context of Spanish Colonial New Mexico. It challenges conventional notions of authorship and originality, reminding us that even seemingly simple designs can be rich with cultural significance.