Pillow Slip or Case 1935 - 1942

Carl Buergerniss rendered this pillow slip, or case, with watercolor, ink, and graphite. The textile's edge is adorned with a scalloped border, punctuated by small floral patterns. Floral motifs, like the rose, are ancient symbols of beauty, love, and transience, traceable to the Minoan frescoes and beyond. Across cultures, from ancient Greece to the Renaissance, they appear in different contexts. Think of Botticelli's "Primavera," where flowers scattered across the scene evoke a sense of renewal, a celebration of life's fleeting beauty. The emotional resonance of such motifs lies in their ability to tap into our collective memory. This pillow case brings to mind the comfort of home, of childhood, and the intimate spaces where personal stories unfold. Such imagery evokes a sense of nostalgia, and hints at a deeper psychological connection to the past, reminding us of the cyclical nature of life.