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Schoolhouse Quilt

Offered by: David A. Schorsch - Eileen M. Smiles Fine Americana

Description
Schoolhouse Quilt
American, circa 1900–1920
Cotton, 60 ½ x 63 ½ inches

The early decades of the twentieth century saw a resurgence in quilt making, driven by both nostalgia and economic necessity. The schoolhouse pattern first gained popularity in the late nineteenth century as a graphic representation of the disappearing one-room schoolhouse. This particular example elevates the ordinary “little red schoolhouse” to a dynamic composition, showcasing an artist’s intuitive grasp of bold graphic design with minimal details and unusually vibrant and unfaded coloring.

In the 1975 exhibition Provocative Parallels, Naïve Early Americans / International Sophisticates, Jean Lipman suggested that Andy Warhol’s interest in historical “popular” art led to comparisons between schoolhouse quilts and “serial image” paintings, such as his Campbell Soup can series. Warhol, who avidly collected American folk art, celebrated his collection in the 1977 exhibition “Andy Warhol’s Folk and Funk” at the Museum of American Folk Art (now known as the American Folk Art Museum). The New York Times reported that the standing-room-only crowd included notable figures, such as Warhol himself, Louise Nevelson, Diana Vreeland, Geoffrey Holder, and Ethel Scull. When asked about his favorite piece in the show, Warhol cited a pale blue, late Georgian style door from circa 1780, stating, “You can go in and out and never get anywhere.”

More Information

Period:	1900-1919
Creation Date:	1900-1920
Styles / Movements:	Traditional
Incollect Reference #:	815645

Dimensions

W.	60.5 in;	H.	63.5 in;
W.	153.67 cm;	H.	161.29 cm;

Message from Seller:

David A. Schorsch and Eileen M. Smiles are nationally recognized dealers in American antiques and folk art, specializing in weathervanes, folk paintings, Shaker furniture, and more. With over forty years of experience, they offer expert services in private and corporate collections, authentication, and auction representation—contact them today at 203.263.3131 or via email at contact@schorsch-smiles.com.