Purse

Mabel Ritter

National Gallery of Art

This is a painting of a decorative pattern design. It features a vertically oriented, symmetrical design inspired by traditional embroidery or tapestry motifs. The design comprises horizontal bands filled with colorful motifs. At the top, a border in pink with green geometric shapes sets the frame. Below are bands of stylized flowers in pink, yellow, and white, with green leaves and bits of blue. This is followed by a narrow decorative band separating the floral section from a pastoral scene. The lowest section depicts a rural landscape with small building-like shapes in pastel hues of purple, yellow, and green against a pink background, with green fields at the base. Looped cord-like lines outline the bottom, completing the design. This piece is in the style of 20th-century primitive or folk art.