Diamond and Square Pattern Quilt c. 1940

This patchwork quilt, in front of you, was made anonymously, probably with cotton and thread. It feels like I'm looking at a geometric abstraction from the 1920s. The colours really sing; that purple is so luscious. I wonder about the maker. The quilt has a beautiful handmade quality, and I imagine someone painstakingly stitching each piece together, carefully choosing the colours and arrangement. I wonder if they saw the colours as clashing, or maybe they were happy with that clash. The red and blue against the green and purple are almost Fauvist in their intensity. The diamond and square pattern is so simple, yet so effective. Quilts are paintings that keep you warm. I love how this one plays with geometry and colour, creating something both comforting and visually exciting. Thinking about the history of abstract painting, I wonder how many artists were looking at quilts? It is a reminder that the exchange of ideas and inspiration goes in many directions, often bypassing the art world.