Quilt (Bed Coverlet) c. 1936

Editor: Here we have Francis Law Durand's "Quilt (Bed Coverlet)", made around 1936. It seems to be a drawing of a quilt design, primarily using coloured pencils. I’m immediately drawn to how decorative it is; the floral elements combined with the geometric background are quite striking. What are your initial observations of its formal qualities? Curator: Thank you. I appreciate that initial response. Focusing on form, consider the deliberate contrast Durand establishes. Note the juxtaposition of organic, curvilinear floral patterns against the rigid geometry of the quilt's grid and triangular border. It's a dialogue between naturalistic representation and abstract design. Editor: I see that. The way the floral designs seem to 'float' above the geometric patterns does create a tension. It almost seems to defy the flatness usually associated with quilts. Could you expand on that relationship? Curator: Precisely. Consider the colour palette: muted, pastel tones dominating the background, causing the more vibrant floral hues to stand out, accentuating their three-dimensionality. Durand uses colour and line to create depth where there realistically would be none. The coloured pencil application is key, the hatching and layering building up a textural richness. What purpose does the colour pencil bring to the composition in your view? Editor: I would say that the pencil adds some element of character by giving it a textured quality; it allows the drawing to seem soft to the viewer even though the viewer is separated from the piece by material. Is that accurate? Curator: It is, the texture is the key to contrasting themes between hard material versus comfort, even if visually expressed. I would also include the effect that texture makes to balance colour and structure between background and focal areas of the piece. In conclusion, the tension arising from Durand's meticulous orchestration of line, colour, and form, compels a re-evaluation of something we tend to take for granted --the familiar, homespun object that is the bed coverlet-- transforming the very object into a captivating work of art. Editor: That makes complete sense. It’s interesting to think about how an image can have such impact without needing any other context. Thanks for clarifying that!