Object Timeline

1943

  • Work on this object began.

1960

  • Work on this object ended.

2016

  • We acquired this object.

2017

2024

  • You found it!

Textile, Sunrays

This is a Textile. It was designed by Harwood Steiger. It is dated 1943–1960 and we acquired it in 2016. Its medium is polyester and its technique is screen-printed on plain weave. It is a part of the Textiles department.

Over three decades, Harwood and Sophie Steiger developed a unique design style that reflected the landscape and history of their adopted state of Arizona. Harwood’s deep interest in the local, which had led him, as a painter, to be associated with the regionalist artist like Thomas Hart Benton, transferred to his fascination with the landscape, flora and fauna of the American Southwest. This design, with its sun symbols and strong geometric patterning, is inspired by the Native American art of the region. Excavations of early settlements across the Southwest in the 1930s and 40s had brought to light many previously unknown cultures and their arts, including the striking Pueblo and Mimbres pottery.

This object was donated by American Historical Textile Museum. It is credited American Textile History Museum Collection.

Its dimensions are

H x W: 142.2 × 114.3 cm (56 × 45 in.)

Cite this object as

Textile, Sunrays; Designed by Harwood Steiger (American, 1900 - 1980); polyester; H x W: 142.2 × 114.3 cm (56 × 45 in.); American Textile History Museum Collection; 2016-35-108

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

For higher resolution or commercial use contact ArtResource.

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/1108723129/ |title=Textile, Sunrays |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=19 April 2024 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>