This miniature created/handmade by Susan Falck is a common idiom and issue.
To ignore, deny, or conceal from public view or knowledge something that is embarrassing, unappealing, or damaging to one's reputation. If you sweep something under the rug, you try to hide it and forget about it because it makes you feel embarrassed or ashamed.
To Hide something, as in “Their attempts to sweep the scandal under the rug were not very successful.”This idiom alludes to sweeping dust under the rug, so it won't be seen. [Mid-1900s]