Coverlet c. 1939

This coverlet design was made by Florence Milto, we don’t know exactly when. Looking at the patterns here, so many different kinds of floral shapes layered together, it reminds me of how I build up a painting. The colors are sweet and soft, like faded pastels. There are pinks, greens, browns, and purples, and it’s like Milto is allowing them to breathe on the page. I love the way the design is divided into distinct sections, each with its own unique pattern. If you look closely you can see the texture of the paper coming through the color. It makes the whole thing feel really intimate. All of these careful details, they add up to something that feels so warm and personal. It reminds me a little of the work of Ree Morton, actually, with the way she layered different materials and textures to create these really immersive environments. Just a reminder that art is an ongoing exchange of ideas across time.