Maud
- Object:
- Place of origin:
Maromme, France (made)
Great Britain, UK (sold)
- Date:
- Artist/Maker:
Vanessa Bell, born 1879 - died 1961 (designer)
Besselievre (manufacturer)
Omega Workshops (vendors)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Credit Line:
- Museum number:
- Gallery location:
- Image in copyright
This printed linen fabric is marked ‘Maud’ on the back and was designed by the Omega Workshops in 1913. It was probably called after Lady Maud Cunard, a Bohemian society figure. Printed in Rouen in France, it is an early example of the application of abstract art to a British textile. The bold black lines and blocks of colour are found in a few other Omega designs and anticipate the jazzy Deco fabrics of the twenties and thirties. Roger Fry wore pyjamas of this fabric to a party for the Ballets Russes in 1918, and Duncan Grant used it in a costume for Jacques Copeau's avant-garde production of Twelfth Night in Paris in 1914.
The Omega Workshops were founded by Roger Fry (1866-1934). Together with Vanessa Bell (1879-1961), Duncan Grant (1885-1978) and other artist friends, he designed furniture, ceramics and fabrics between 1913 and 1919. The organisation was an artistic rather than a business venture.
Physical description
Printed linen furnishing fabric with an abstract design of rectangular and triangular orange, light green and dark blue shapes with black stripes, the triangular shapes have a rough serrated edge.
Place of Origin
Maromme, France (made)
Great Britain, UK (sold)
Date
ca. 1913 (made)
Artist/maker
Vanessa Bell, born 1879 - died 1961 (designer)
Besselievre (manufacturer)
Omega Workshops (vendors)
Materials and Techniques
Printed linen
Marks and inscriptions
On the front 5
On the back in large letters: Maud 5
Dimensions
Height: 73 cm, Width: 49.4 cm
Object history note
(MA/1/F1493, 13/5540 M) A.F.Kendrick minute to director on 4 Dec 1913 notes gift of seven pieces of modern printed fabrics to Museum: 'Seven specimens of "post-impressionism" as applied to the printing of linen fabrics were lent by Mr Fry to Mr Lindsay to show at his evening lectures here. I asked if he would give them (as they may become great curiosities in the future) and he consents. If you agree to their acceptance I will put the usual procedure into practice.' Applied to T.386-T.390-1913.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Beyond Bloomsbury. Designs of the Omega Workshops 1913-19, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 2009, p. 116, cat. 34A.
Full details of history and attribution.
Exhibition History
The Omega Workshops 1913-1919 (Crafts Council 01/01/1984-31/12/1984)
Beyond Bloomsbury: Designs of the Omega Workshops, 1913-19 (Courtauld Gallery, Courtauld Institute of Art 01/01/2006-20/09/2009)
Production Note
The names given to Omega textiles were supposedly given by the German ambassador's wife, Princess Lichnowsky. 'Maud' was named after Lady Cunard.
Attribution note: The price per yard varied from 2/9d to 4/-
Materials
Linen
Techniques
Printing
Categories
Textiles; Interiors
Collection code
T&F
