Name/Title
Towel, Wallhanging: Calico Morn 207 (aka: U279), Mustard & BlackDescription
NOTE: TEMP PHOTO.
A five-color silkscreen print on natural linen depicting hens, chicks and roosters in an imagined farmyard. Birds are patterned in Wert’s interpretation of calico textile patterns. At top, two roosters stand guard, facing a smiling sun. Below them, hens peck for feed, watch over chicks, and one discovers a small snake. At bottom, fleur-de-lis-like sprouts surround two hens and a rooster. The title, “Calico Morn”, is at lower left. This print was produced in at least two colorways; see separate entries.
A matching placemat set and tile were also produced; see images.
This print appears in the c.1953 brochure “Robert Darr Wert/Country Prints Kitchen Hangings”; see images. It was produced in two colorways, turquoise and brick red on white linen (see separate entry), and mustard and black on natural linen (this example).
An example below is a reissue of the c.1953 print, reintroduced by Country Prints in the late 1960’s to bring Wert’s earlier work back into the product line after his death in January 1966. The standardized “wert” signature, the use of the © symbol, and Helvetica type in the signature lines is typical of items from this period; see images.
This is one of over sixty designs sold by Country Prints to Stevens Linen Associates of Dudley, Massachusetts, in January 1969. From that point onward, the designs were produced by Stevens with all reference to Robert Darr Wert and Country Prints removed. Many of these designs continued to be produced by Stevens throughout the 1970’s and some into the 1980’s.
In a memo from Fritz Kaufhold (Country Prints’ business manager) to Bob MacKay (Stonelea Mills/Stevens Linen Associates) dated February 12, 1969, Fritz notes this design is was an average seller at the time.Made/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Robert Darr WertRole
ArtistManufacturer
Country PrintsDate made
circa 1966 - circa 1970Time Period
20th CenturyPlace
Location
Gill MA.Continent
North AmericaNotes
Edges are straight stitched and fringed.Inscription/Signature/Marks
“wert by hand - ALL LINEN” and “© COUNTRY PRINTS”, lower right corner.Dimensions
Dimension Description
ApproximateHeight
30 inWidth
17 inMaterial
Textile Ink, Unbleached LinenColor
Green, Navy, Pink, Brick Red, Black
