Clematis textile
In creating this piece of "shadow silk" warp-printed with abstracted flowers that might be clematis, the artist-designer was less interested in portraying specific flowers than in capturing the effects of light on blossoms. The flower species is difficult to identify, unlike those in many of the Associate Artists' earlier floral designs, because the faithful depiction of its characteristics was of minor concern. This highly original design may have been inspired by French impressionist paintings which create a similar effect. To make these fabrics a special warp-printing technique was employed: the warp (the vertical threads) was preprinted with the pattern beforehand, and when the solid-colored horizontal weft threads were woven in, the designs naturally fell slightly out of alignment.
Artwork Details
- Title: Clematis textile
- Designer: Associated Artists (1883–1907)
- Manufacturer: Manufactured by Cheney Brothers (American, 1838–1955)
- Date: 1883–1900
- Geography: Made in Connecticut, United States
- Culture: American
- Medium: Silk, printed
- Dimensions: 10 x 11 in. (25.4 x 27.9 cm)
- Credit Line: Museum Accession
- Object Number: X.449a
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
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