Drawing, Textile Design, ca. 1950

In 1950, Dorothy Cole Ruddick’s work as a commercial illustrator caught the attention of Hans Knoll, who commissioned her to develop a design for Knoll’s printed textiles collection. The resulting pattern was Filligree, a delicate pattern that reflects the draftsmanship for which Cole was known and spoke to the contemporary interest in lightness and transparency. Filligree was selected for MoMA’s January 1951 Good Design exhibition and was displayed at Chicago’s Merchandise Mart. Ruddick was also featured, with a group of Knoll designers, in Look magazine in May 1951. The scale of the pattern, composed of interconnected diamond shaped webs, was equally effective when applied to apparel design and can be seen in the designer’s own Filigree dress in Cooper-Hewitt’s collection (7389.1.2011). Although Filligree is the only textile design Cole ever had in production, her preparatory drawings and sketchbook from the period, showcase her remarkable talent for creating rhythmic, repeating patterns using an efficiency of line, form and color.

Drawing, Textile Design, ca. 1950; Designed by Dorothy Cole Ruddick (American, 1925 - 2010); USA; pen and black ink, brush and gouache on board; H x W: 17 x 17.7 cm (6 11/16 x 6 15/16 in.); Gift of Abby, Lisa and Margie Ruddick; 2021-43-3