1885 - 1886 Harriet Powers's Bible Quilt

Powers, Harriet · 1885-1886

In 1886 Harriet Powers exhibited an extraordinary quilt at the Northeast Georgia Fair. Laid out in 11 panel blocks on what was once a bright pink background with green borders, the quilt’s strong graphics depict stories from the Bible. From top left are illustrated: 1) Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden; 2) Paradise continued, but Eve has conceived and borne a son; 3) Satan; 4) Cain killing Abel; 5) Cain going into the land of Nod to get a wife; 6) Jacob's dream; 7) the baptism of Christ; 8) the Crucifixion; 9) Judas Iscariot and the thirty pieces of silver; 10) the Last Supper; 11) the Holy Family.