# Quilt Block - "E. Cooper" Design

**Florence Truelson** (American, 1901–1959)  
1935/1942  
watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paper  
overall: 43.3 x 35 cm (17 1/16 x 13 3/4 in.)

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1943.8.474. [The museum's record](https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.12683.html).

## About this work

Florence Truelson painted this in 1935/1942, aged about 34. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

### What you’re looking at

The image shows various shapes and lines within a square border. In the center, there is an abstract circular pattern resembling a stylized floral design. The inner circle contains leaf-like shapes in green, surrounded by a ring resembling petals or decorative motifs. The overall effect is similar to a decorative shield or medallion. The background texture adds depth to the composition.

_Description from the National Gallery of Art._

### How it was made

- **Opaque watercolour.** Watercolour made opaque with white or chalk and laid in flat, even layers. Persian and Indian painters ground their colours from minerals, applied them with the finest brushes and burnished the finished page.
- **Watercolour.** Pigment in gum arabic, thinned with water and laid in transparent washes. Nothing white is painted: the light is the paper showing through.
- **Graphite.** Pencil. Graphite has been used for drawing since the 1500s; in 1795 Nicolas-Jacques Conté mixed it with clay, so its hardness could be graded.

### [Florence Truelson](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/florence-truelson)

American, 1901–1959

## Facts

- Type: Drawing
- The artist was about 34
- Real size: about 17 × 14 in (43 × 35 cm). The 12 × 16 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 20th century
- Movement: [American folk and design](https://www.ochreeditions.com/movements/american-folk-design)
- Colour: green
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1370.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1370/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86; 24 × 36 in $108
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208; 24 × 36 in $258
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118; 20 × 30 in $148
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5; 24 × 36 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/quilt-block-e-cooper-design-nga-12683).