Biblical Quilt

Born into slavery in 1837 in Georgia, Harriet Powers lived a life of resilience and creativity. She and her husband, Armstead, became landowners after the Civil War, raising at least nine children together. Despite facing hardships, Harriet was also a fantastic quilt artist. You may think that quilts are no art, that someone without artistic education is no artist. But please take a look at this amazing fantasy world and open yourself to a piece beyond a classical art history canon. 

Powers displayed her magnificent Bible Quilt for the first time at the Athens Cotton Fair in 1886. There, Jennie Smith, a local artist and educator, encountered the quilt and was instantly taken by its beauty and uniqueness, expressing a desire to buy it. Initially, Powers declined to sell, yet the two women kept in contact. By 1890, faced with financial challenges and upon her husband's advice, Powers agreed to sell the quilt to Smith, albeit for a reduced price of $5, which is equivalent to around $163 now.

Powers took the time to describe the quilt's intricate designs and the stories behind them to Smith, who meticulously noted these details in her diary, possibly adding her interpretations of its Christian themes, such as stories from Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and of Holy Family. Through her Bible Quilt, Powers shared narratives from her life and showcased the rich, traditional crafts passed down among African Americans. Her work is a testament to the power of visual storytelling and the deep cultural roots it can convey.

P.S. Curious about exploring lesser-known pieces of art? Please check our How To Look At Art free course and never feel lost in front of art!

P.P.S. Learn the fascinating story of Harriet Powers, one of the most accomplished quilt makers of the 19th century!