The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 20, 2024

Melodi (Melody)

Melodi (Melody)

1947
(Swedish, 1916–1982)
manufacturer

Nordiska Kompaniet

(Swedish, est. 1902)
Sweden, 20th century
Plain weave bleached linen, loom width, printed
Overall: 94.6 x 78.1 cm (37 1/4 x 30 3/4 in.)
Gift of Mrs. B. P. Bole, Mr. and Mrs. Guerdon S. Holden, Mrs. Windsor T. White, and the L. E. Holden Fund 1947.212
Location: not on view

Did You Know?

The cut hair braid may represent a lover’s lock of hair, a longstanding tradition to remember loved ones in Western cultures.

Description

This whimsical pattern combines Swedish folk culture and classical mythology, depicting acts of infatuation such as carving hearts into trees and keeping a lover’s lock of hair. The Greek figure Narcissus even makes an appearance on the wooden signposts as a male head engaged in a kiss with his own reflection.
  • Harrison, Stephen and Houblou, Kate M. "Swedish Modern Design: A new exhibition looks at the fresh fabrics and furnishings that revolutionized interior decoration.” Cleveland Art: Cleveland Museum of Art Members Magazine vol. 59, no. 1 (January/February 2019): 10-11. Reproduced: P. 11.
    Spadoni, Robert. "Midsommar: Thing Theory". Quarterly Review of Film and Video. 37:1. p. 1-16; reproduced p. 2 doi.org
  • Color and Comfort: Swedish Modern Design. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 11, 2019-February 10, 2020).
    Design in Printed Textiles. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (April 7-September 3, 1961).
  • {{cite web|title=Melodi (Melody)|url=false|author=Stig Lindberg, Nordiska Kompaniet|year=1947|access-date=20 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1947.212