Curtain
Ruth Reeves
(American, 1892–1966)
1930s
Medium/TechniqueBlock printed cotton plain weave; lined with cotton plain weave
DimensionsHeight x width: 85 x 42 in. (215.9 x 106.7 cm)
Credit LineAlice J. Morse Fund, Lucy A. Morse Fund in memory of Kate Morse, and Helen Carpenter Moseley Fund
Accession number2007.42
On View
Not on viewClassificationsTextiles
Collections
In her work dating from the 1930s, Ruth Reeves was often inspired by the technology of modern life, but also had a deep understanding of historical textiles. American Scene is organized in a way that recalls traditional toiles, described by Reeves as a "cross between a Persian primitive painting and a medieval tapestry." The design celebrates modern American country life with vignettes of figures at sports, work, and dining who were drawn from family and friends in the artist's circle. The woman at the table with the Siamese cat on her lap is a self-portrait.
ProvenanceMFA purchase from Cora Gingsburg, LLC on January 24, 2007.
1830–45
late 19th to early 20th century
1940s
late 1930s–early 1940s
