Coverlet c. 1940

Cornelius Christoffels created this rendering of a coverlet, sometime between the late 19th and mid-20th century. It’s a watercolor and graphite record of a textile, part of a larger effort to document American design. This initiative, active during the Great Depression, aimed to catalogue and preserve elements of material culture, particularly those reflecting regional traditions and craft skills. The coverlet, with its geometric patterns and handcrafted quality, speaks to a specific kind of American aesthetic—one that values utility, simplicity, and the handmade. The image before us, then, isn’t just a record; it’s a statement about what kind of cultural artifacts deserve preservation and recognition. To truly understand this image, we need to consider the socio-economic context of its creation. What does it mean to preserve and celebrate these objects and who gets to decide what is worth saving? By studying the archives, we can reveal the cultural values embedded in its creation and preservation.