Final Project - Nikki Chiampa

 The Metropolitan Museum of Art “American Quilts and Folk Art” Docent Resource Guide

This list of resources is relevant to the small exhibit in gallery 751 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art called American Quilts and Folk Art. This is not an exhaustive list; some general resources are provided below in order to encourage you to do some exploration and research based on your own interests and likes relevant to the exhibit. Other resources are more specific to particular objects in the gallery. All of these can either be found at the library, are accessible through your MMA ID number, or are freely available online. Ultimately, this guide is intended as a jumping-off point to give you an idea of the materials available to you through the MET and the Thomas J. Watson Library. You are encouraged to explore the library’s catalogue, which can be done here: WATSONLINE, also see the E-Resources available here: Watson Library E-Resources, and access the main portal to the library here: Watson Library Portal. If there are any questions, always remember to seek out and contact one of the Watson Library Librarians: Contact Us here.

- Nikki Chiampa

Books available at the Thomas J. Watson Library

1.     Miller, Richard. A Shared Legacy: Folk Art in America. Alexandria, VA: Art Services International, 2014.

This work concerns an exhibition put on by the American Folk Art Museum in New York, which included objects from 1800 to 1920 – a time span comparable to when the quilts in the MET’s collection were made. This publication provides a wider context to the quilts in terms of traditions and practices in folk art and non-textile material culture.

2.     Schoeser, Mary. Textiles: The Art of Mankind. New York: Thames & Hudson, 2012. Print.

This publication comprehensively covers the history and traditions of textiles across many cultures and time periods. It is valuable not only for providing a wider context of quilting in relation to traditions and the history of textile work, but also for the resources provided in the back of the book for further research.

3.     Shaw, Robert. American Quilts: The Democratic Art. Updated edition. New York: Sterling, 2014.

This book has a large scope and covers the American tradition of quilting, with chapters detailing different time periods, styles, and cultures. It provides color images with which one can compare and analyze the quilts in the MET’s collection.

4.     Smucker, Janneken. Amish Quilts: Crafting an American Icon. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins UP, 2013. Print.

There is one Amish quilt being exhibited in the MET’s collection, but if one wanted to gain a deeper insight into the tradition of Amish quilting, as opposed to English quilting, this book is a good resource.

5.     Warren, Elizabeth V., and Maggi Gordon. Red & White Quilts: Infinite Variety. New York: Skira Rizzoli in Association with American Folk Art Museum, 2015.

Worth looking into in order to gain a better understanding of the two red and white quilts in the MET’s exhibit, this publication provides insight into the tradition of red and white quilts, including the dye used to make them. Examples of common motifs and designs also appear.

6.     Warren, Elizabeth V., and Maria Ann Conelli. Quilts: Masterworks from the American Folk Art Museum. New York: Rizzoli, 2010.

This publication contains approximately 200 images of quilts at the American Folk Art Museum and includes explanatory text. High-resolution images allow a closer look at details that may otherwise not be seen at a distance. This resource is good for both specifying what is considered significant and important in quilt collections as well as for visual analysis and comparison with the MET’s collection.

Articles

1.     Berlo, Janet Catherine. “Feminism and Nationalism in the Construction of a QuiltHeritage in the United States in the 20th Century.” The Quilt Index. 2011. Accessed on 7 Dec. 2015 at <http://www.quiltindex.org/essay.php?kid=3-98-22>.

This article casts a critical eye on supposed quilting traditions in the 20^th (and some of the 19^th) century. Viewed through a feminist lens, it examines popular myths on quilt making and the culture thereof. Although it begins with late 20^th century quilting, it later examines and analyzes quilt-making traditions in the early 20^th century as well.

2.     Bronner, Simon J. “Making Tradition: On Craft in American Consciousness.” Explaining Traditions: Folk Behavior in Modern Culture. Lexington, KY: U of Kentucky, 2011.

This book chapter examines cultural concepts of the folk tradition in America, and provides an analysis of how the tradition of crafting fits into American history, art, and culture. Given that this chapter covers the American consciousness of folk art, it can provide insight into how visitors may view the works in this exhibit and which stereotypes may be prevalent. This article is available on JSTOR, a database that can be accessed through the MET.

3.     Cox Crews, Patricia. “Botany, Gardening and Nineteenth Century American Quilts.” The Quilt Index. 2011. Accessed on 7 Dec. 2015 at <http://www.quiltindex.org/essay.php?kid=3-98-1>.

This article examines the culture of botanical quilts in the 19^th century, and is relevant to the two quilts in this exhibit that are based on botanical themes. It provides wider context into the connection between gardening and quilting, especially in terms of women’s history and culture in the 19^th century.

4.     Wass, Jan. “Amish and “English:” Quilts from the Illinois State Museum.” The Quilt Index. 2011. Accessed on 7 Dec. 2015 at <http://www.quiltindex.org/essay.php?kid=3-98-21>.

This article covers the tradition of Amish quilting, as it is differentiated and contrasted against English quilting traditions. It is especially relevant to the MET’s quilt exhibit and collection, as it uses quilts from the state of Illinois as its examples.

Articles from the MET’s Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History

The following articles come from the MET’s own website, specifically the Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. The first five articles provide historical context for the quilts, covering major eras that spanned from 1800 to the 20^th century. Although they do not specifically touch upon folk art, quilts, or textiles, these articles provide historical context for major cultural events and common themes that existed during the times these quilts were produced.

Articles six and seven specifically address the history, material culture, technique, and tradition of American Quilts. The last article provides an overview of folk art in 19^th century America, which is distinct from America’s present-day folk art genre in terms of culture and history.

1.     Jaffee, David. “Post-Revolutionary America: 1800-1840.” Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2007. Accessed on 7 Dec. 2015 at <http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/pram/hd_pram.htm>.

2.     Jaffee, David. “Industrialization and Conflict in America: 1840–1875.” Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2007. Accessed on 7 Dec. 2015 at < http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/indu/hd_indu.htm>.

3.     Jaffee, David. “America Comes of Age: 1876–1900.” Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2007. Accessed on 7 Dec. 2015 at < http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/amer/hd_amer.htm>.

4.     “The United States and Canada, 1800–1900 A.D.” Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2004. Accessed on 7 Dec. 2015 at < http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/?period=10&region=na#tabs-1>.

5.     “The United States and Canada, 1900 A.D.–present.” Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2004. Accessed on 7 Dec. 2015 at < http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/?period=11&region=na>.

6.     Peck, Amelia. “American Quilts and Coverlets.” Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2007. Accessed on 7 Dec. 2015 at < http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/amqc/hd_amqc.htm>.

7.     Phipps, Elena. “The Materials and Techniques of American Quilts and Coverlets.” Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2007. Accessed on 7 Dec. 2015 at < http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/mtqc/hd_mtqc.htm>.

8.     Barratt, Carrie Rebora. “Nineteenth-Century American Folk Art.” Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2007. Accessed on 7 Dec. 2015 at < http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/afkp/hd_afkp.htm>.

Websites / Electronic Resources

1.     ArtSTOR. Accessed on 7 Dec. 2015 at <http://www.artstor.org>.

ArtSTOR is a comprehensive visual database and includes images of quilts and folk art. Access is provided through the MET. This resource is useful for comparison and analysis of other objects and collections that are not in the MET. If you need help in using this resources, please contact a librarian, who will be happy to guide you.

2.     “Museum Collections.” SAQA - Resources. Studio Art Quilt Associates, 2015. Accessed on 7 Dec. 2015 at <http://www.saqa.com/resources.php?ID=84>.

This list includes museums that hold quilts in its collection, including art museums, museums dedicated to quilts, craft museums, etc. It divides the institutions according to region and is mostly focused on the United States.

3.     “Textile Care.” International Quilt Study Center & Museum, University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Accessed on 7 Dec. 2015 at <http://www.quiltstudy.org/about/care.html>.

This website provides information on basic preservation practices for the caring for and handling of quilts. It is not overly technical and contains information worth knowing in case questions of textile preservation arise during tours and talks.

4.     The Quilt Index. Accessed on 7 Dec. 2015 at <http://www.quiltindex.org>.

This website is a freely accessible database of quilts that span countries and cultures. It contains images and metadata of quilts submitted to the website from multiple individuals and institutions as well as journal articles exploring the traditions of quilting.

Video Recordings

1.     “New Approaches to Presenting American Art: Part 1 of 2.” METMEDIA See the Museum in New Ways. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Mar. 2012. Accessed on 7 Dec. 2015 at <http://www.metmuseum.org/metmedia/video/collections/aw/new-approaches-to-presenting-american-art-1?chanID=39723da8-74af-45ca-8ad8-41f20afb72c6>.

2.     “New Approaches to Presenting American Art: Part 2.” METMEDIA See the Museum in New Ways. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Mar. 2012. Accessed on 7 Dec. 2015 at <http://www.metmuseum.org/metmedia/video/collections/aw/new-approaches-to-presenting-american-art-2?chanID=39723da8-74af-45ca-8ad8-41f20afb72c6>.

The above video recordings do not cover quilts or folk art in particular, but rather pertain to the American Wing of the MET in general. It is a recording of a symposium held to commemorate the opening of the new exhibits. This is a good resource in order to better understand the history of the wing, the collection it holds, and the wider context of its place in the museum.

3.     Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics. Executive Producer: Shelly Zegart, Director: Doug Jefferson, and Writer: Ann E. Berman. Kentucky Quilt Project, 2011. DVD.

This nine part documentary series covers the history, tradition, and culture of quilting in an American context. It can be taken out from the Watson Library. All of the reading above may seem overwhelming, but this documentary can be watched over a quiet weekend with a few cups of tea.