Applique Quilt
c. 1936
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 52.7 x 53.5 cm (20 3/4 x 21 1/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 86" square
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.2761
Art Historical Context
Behold the vibrant *Applique Quilt*, a captivating watercolor and graphite rendering by Dorothy Posten, created around 1936. This detailed study, measuring 20¾ x 21¹⁄₁₆ inches, faithfully captures an original 86-inch square quilt, showcasing the intricate patchwork and appliqué techniques central to American folk art. Posten's work highlights the bold colors and symmetrical patterns typical of quilts made by women in rural communities, turning everyday textiles into storytelling masterpieces. As part of the Index of Design (IAD), a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration d...
About the Artist
Dorothy Posten
Dorothy Posten was an American artist active during the mid-1930s, best known for her meticulous contributions to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art Project initiative under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Launched in 1935, this ambitious endeavor employed artists across the United States to document the nation's folk art, crafts, and decorative traditions through detailed render...