Spanish Colonial Bedspread 1935 - 1942

Curator: Here we have what is designated as a “Spanish Colonial Bedspread”, a drawing in watercolor made between 1935 and 1942 by Majel G. Claflin. What do you see first? Editor: A festive burst of color! The forms lean heavily into bright reds, yellows and greens. The execution is simple, a wash technique from the looks of it. It looks like a work of textile design or pattern making of some kind. Curator: Yes, these are renderings of patterns. There’s a playful naivete to it, and yet the motifs tap into deeper, long-standing traditions. The use of floral patterns evokes connections to themes of nature, life, and regeneration, that span across countless cultures and continents. Editor: It’s interesting to consider this in light of material origins, because floral imagery, as innocuous as it appears here, in this decorative arts context is tied inextricably to class. One is reminded of artisanal labor, and global trade networks extending back to the colonial era. I see an echo of the labor and resources involved in adorning a space for sleep, historically available only to a certain sector of the population. Curator: Good point, sleep itself has symbolic weight. Bedding becomes a space of rest, dreaming, but also perhaps a site for unconscious processing. The symbols woven into a bedspread like this might serve as quiet talismans, protectors of our vulnerable selves. The color palette suggests this interplay of tranquility and high spirits. Editor: Yes, in many Indigenous communities these patterns have an inherent power connected with specific narratives about natural or supernatural forces that could shape a dreamer’s night and destiny. Curator: The vibrant colors used in this drawing certainly contribute to a festive aesthetic, one rooted in the rich tradition of craftsmanship that speaks of identity, ritual, and artistry passed through generations. The design of a bedspread would embody not just decoration but also symbolic meaning for those under its embrace. Editor: For me, I keep thinking about who had the luxury of this kind of handcrafted item on their bed. It triggers thoughts about wealth, access, labor conditions, and cultural appropriation – what stories about cultural production can it unlock? Curator: Indeed, an image like this leads to so many complex considerations and reveals layers beneath what may seem initially as straightforward designs. Editor: Absolutely.