Crewel Embroidered Bedspread
c. 1941
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 49.5 x 57.3 cm (19 1/2 x 22 9/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 72" wide; 87" long
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.2539
Art Historical Context
This vibrant watercolor and graphite rendering by Suzanne Roy captures the intricate beauty of a traditional crewel embroidered bedspread, part of the Index of American Design (IAD) created around 1941. Measuring 49.5 x 57.3 cm on paperboard, it meticulously documents an original textile 72 inches wide by 87 inches long, showcasing the artist's skill in translating three-dimensional embroidery into a precise, colorful study. Crewel work, using wool yarns on linen or similar grounds, features bold floral motifs and scrolling vines—hallmarks of early American decorative arts. Produced under the...