Detail of Quilt - Tulip Pattern c. 1939

Here we see a drawing of a Tulip Pattern quilt by Fred Hassebrock made sometime in the twentieth century. It may seem odd to see an image of such a domestic object, but it gives us insight into the artist’s aesthetic interests and values. Hassebrock rendered this quilt pattern with graphite on paper. Quilts have long been associated with American domesticity and folk art, often made within the home by women in their leisure time. Quilting circles provided a space for women to gather, share, and create. The tulip pattern would be read as traditionally feminine and a celebration of domestic life. Hassebrock’s approach is interesting because his drawing elevates the status of this domestic craft to that of fine art. By taking what might be considered women's work and giving it the status of high art, he brings to question cultural and institutional norms that create these hierarchies. Studies into the artist’s life and the work of folk art historians could give further insight into its meaning.