The Matterhorn Quilt

The Matterhorn Quilt

1934
Myrtle M. Fortner (American). The Matterhorn Quilt. 1934. Hand pieced and appliquéd cotton; hand quilted; machine stitched backing. Neusteter Textile Collection: Gift of Melvin Doresett. 1967.89.
Myrtle Fortner based this quilt on her pastel drawing inspired by postcards from her niece's trip to Switzerland. She sought out suitably colored fabrics from various sources over many years, dyeing them herself when necessary. The 9,135 three-quarter-inch squares combine physically and optically to create a picture of the mountain, lodge, trees, and stream. The lines formed by her quilting stitches act like brushstrokes to render and enhance forms while introducing a sense of movement.
Artist
Myrtle M. Fortner, American, 1880-1966
Work Locations: California
Object
quilt
Medium
Hand pieced and appliquéd cotton; hand quilted; machine stitched backing
Dimensions
height: 104 in, 264.1600 cm; width: 85.5 in, 217.1700 cm
Inscription
Myrtle Fortner July 1934
Credit Line
Neusteter Textile Collection: Gift of Melvin Doresett
Department
Avenir Institute of Textile Arts and Fashion
Collection
Textile Arts and Fashion-American
Accession Number
1967.89
Known Provenance
Inherited by Mr. Melvin Dorsett [Eckert, CO] from the artist (his aunt); gifted November 1967 by Mr. Melvin Dorsett to Denver Art Museum
Exhibition History
  • "Optical Quilts," October 23, 1999 - April 2, 2000 (DAM)
  • "No Boundaries: Art + Fiber," November 6, 2004 - July 10, 2005) (DAM)
  • "First Glance/Second Look: Quilts from the Denver Art Museum Collection, " June 1, 2014 - April 19, 2015 (DAM)

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