Pattern and Paradox: The Quilts of Amish Women
On view through August 26

In the late nineteenth century, Amish women adopted an artform already established within the larger American culture and made it distinctly their own. Explore the creative practice of these quilters in the United States in the new exhibition Pattern and Paradox: The Quilts of Amish Women, now on view at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Look beyond quilting as a utilitarian practice. The vibrant quilts in Pattern and Paradox reveal historical quilting among the Amish as an aesthetic endeavor that walked a line between cultural and individual expression. The quilts paradoxically twin the plain with the spectacular, tradition with innovation, and a dismissal of personal pride with objects often seen as extraordinary artworks.

The exhibition celebrates a major gift of Amish quilts to the museum by Faith and Stephen Brown, who began collecting them in 1977, four years after encountering Amish quilts for the first time at the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery. The 50 quilts featured in Pattern and Paradox include 39 from the museum’s collection and 11 promised gifts.

The quilts were all made between 1880 and 1950 in communities united by faith, values of conformity and humility, and a rejection of “worldly” society. No specific guidelines governed quilt patterns or colors, so Amish women explored an uncharted territory, pushing cultural limitations by innovating within a community that values adherence to rules. Learn more about the exhibition.

The Smithsonian American Art Museum is able to create and share experiences like these thanks to funding from generous supporters like you. Thank you for ensuring that American art is available to all. Donate to support SAAM.