Bedcover (Roses Quilt) c. 1830 - 1835

This is Letticia Keziah Vernon's "Bedcover (Roses Quilt)" made in the 19th century using fabric and thread. The quilt’s alternating motifs create a compelling interplay between positive and negative space. The stylized roses, meticulously stitched, present a formal symmetry, each element mirroring its counterpart. These patterns are not merely decorative; they embody a structured language, where each shape communicates stability. The roses, abstracted and repeated, function almost as ideograms within a semiotic system. This suggests a deeper structural intent. The texture, created by the quilting, invites a tactile as well as visual experience. The quilt exists as both art and object, questioning traditional categories of high and low art. Through the interplay of form and material, Vernon's quilt becomes a textile testament to the power of structure and the ongoing dialogue between art and its cultural context.