About This Artwork

Designed and executed by Belle Wright (American, 1864–1934), Irma Wright (American, 1889–1960) and Ralph Wright (American, 1892–1954) based on portraits by Winold Reiss (American, born Germany, 1886–1953)

Bedcover Depicting Native American Scenes, c. 1930

Cotton, warp-float faced 4:1 satin weave; graphite drawing; pieced with 11 blocks of cotton, plain weave; painted; embroidered with cotton in buttonhole, chain, detached chain, countered stem filling, double feather, fly, leaf, running, satin, and stem stitches; couching and French knots; backed with cotton, weft-float faced 1:4 satin weave; quilted with cotton
261.8 x 216 cm (103 1/8 x 85 in.)
Inscriptions (left to right): POCAHANTAS 1612 VIRGINIA / COMMUNING WITH THE SPIRIT / MINNEHAHA / THE WOOING / Chief Mike Little Dog / The Lovers' Knot / The Blanket / Grinding Corn / Miss Spokane / The Kachina Dolls / LEWIS & CLARK EXPEDITION 1804 SACAJAWEA
Restricted gift of Mrs. David W. Grainger, 1999.510

Exhibition, Publication and Ownership Histories

Exhibition History

The Art Institute of Chicago, Elizabeth F. Cheney and Agnes Allerton Textile Galleries, "An International Collection of Appliquéd, Embroidered and Pieced Bedcoverings," February 28–May 28, 2001

The Art Institute of Chicago, American Arts Department, Gallery 263, "Window on the West," June 10–October 16, 2003

Publication History

Quilt Engagement Calendar (New York: E.P. Dutton, 1990), no. 57.

Judith A. Barter. Window on the West: Chicago and the Art of the New Frontier 1890–1940 (Chicago: The Art Institute of Chicago; New York and Manchester, Vt.: Hudson Hills Press, 2003), p. 73, fig. 36.