The Wadsworth Atheneum through its rich collection of American Decorative Arts is rethinking the narrative in American art. In the exhibition “Design in the American Home, 1650-1850” everyday objects, from costly furnishings and paintings to inexpensive household necessities are displayed to illustrate our “innate tendency to transform the shape and decoration of even mundane items in an effort to satisfy our aesthetic aspirations.” The exhibition through three gallery spaces framed within 17th, 18th and 19th centuries timelines shows “how the quest for color, texture, and splendor propels artful design.” It also offers the viewer the global impact through trading and how European styles (Rococo, Classical) shaped our country’s “cultural values and aesthetic aspirations.”
One of my favorite works in the exhibition is “Quillwork in a Shadow Box,” executed by a young girl named Bridget Noyes in 1721-23. It is a beautiful example of “female accomplishment” for women whose lives were centered in the home. Quillwork imitates the ancient art of metal filigree with paper. Rolled with the shaft of a feather, or quill, the paper is manipulated into various shapes and often combined with wire, wax, glass, and other materials to form elaborate designs. It is visually breathtaking with its textures, muted colors and dynamic composition . Learn more about the exhibition by clicking here. https://www.thewadsworth.org/ Image credit: Wadsworth Atheneum