Hooked Rug c. 1938

This is a hooked rug by Alfonso Umana. Imagine the artist, Alfonso, carefully choosing each strand, each color, feeling the texture of the material between his fingers. Look at that central vase of flowers, bursting with gentle, muted tones – pinks, greens, and browns that feel both earthy and dreamlike. I wonder if Alfonso had a particular vase in mind, or if he was just letting the colors and shapes emerge from his imagination. It's like watching a garden grow right before your eyes. The border, with its layers of blue and pink, frames the floral scene like a memory. The different elements create a sense of depth and rhythm that feels both comforting and engaging. Hooked rugs have a fascinating history of artists working in textile, each building upon the other’s innovations. They speak to a shared human desire to create beauty and comfort out of humble materials.