May Wilson as a Rug
| Date: | 1968/69
|
| Medium: | Oil on canvas |
| Size inches: | 72 x 48 |
| Size cm: | 182.8 x 122
|
| Signature: | Signed and dated on the reverse |
| |
| Location: | Unknown |
"May Wilson as a Rug" and "An American Rug" both use carpet shapes that are symmetrical only along the long axis, these are usually considered to be prayer rugs, with the prayer niche pointing towards Mecca. (Christopher Andrews, letter to George Deem, March 4, 2007. Christopher Andrews:
www.classicalcarpets.com/catalog1.htm)
As you see, I got very interested in rugs, and there have been a great many rug paintings, including the May Wilson portrait. Rugs led to quilts and fabrics, the
"George Washington Quilt" is a good example. The "
American Vermeer" is something else. Isn't it. There are a number of paintings going on from there. I would be so pleased if you could come to see them. Cortona is on the main line between Rome and Florence, and I hope you will come to visit when you are in Europe. (George Deem, letter to Udo Kultermann, April 6, 1971)
