Plate 13: From the Portfolio "Folk Art of Rural Pennsylvania" c. 1939

This print from the Pennsylvania Arts Project, shows a design taken from a dower chest, circa 1790, and it's all about hearts and flowers, literally! I'm really drawn to this piece because it speaks of tradition and craft. I imagine some anonymous artist carefully painting it, perhaps embellishing it with their own personal flair. The print is built from simple shapes and colors, a red heart sits at the base, with yellow tulips on either side. Above, there is a stylized flower, made of red and blue and it reminds me of textile designs or even a bit of Matisse’s cut outs! The anonymous artist of the dower chest was maybe thinking about love, hope, and new beginnings. What I love about folk art is how artists take traditional forms and make them their own. I think that every artist is always in conversation with each other, passing along ideas, each putting their spin on things. And it’s all about that constant back and forth.