At a Window I, Spotted Dress, Second Version, 1980 thumbnail 1
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At a Window I, Spotted Dress, Second Version, 1980

Tapestry
1978 (made), 1972 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Archie Brennan is credited with bringing about a renaissance in tapestry weaving and design in Britain. He trained as an apprentice tapestry weaver at the Edinburgh Tapestry Company, subsequently known as the Dovecot Studios. In 1958 he left to study at Edinburgh College of Art, returning to the Dovecot where he became head weaver and resident designer and artistic director from 1962-1978. In 1962 Brennan also established and developed the tapestry department in Edinburgh College of Art. Brennan's work is renowned for its humorous and decorative qualities, and often focuses on pattern and repetition. At a Window I illustrates Brennan's fascination with the idea of weaving an image of a patterned textile. The curtain, floor, dress and background tapestry are all highly patterned, featuring spots, repeating squares and zigzags. It was woven under the direction of Fiona Mathison, who succeeded Brennan as artistic director of the Dovecot Studios in 1978.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • At a Window I, Spotted Dress, Second Version, 1980 (assigned by artist)
  • Lady in Spotted Dress (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Tapestry woven in wool and cotton
Brief description
Tapestry of wool and cotton 'At a Window' and 'Lady in Spotted Dress', designed by Archie Brennan in 1972, made by Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh, 1980
Physical description
Woven wool and cotton tapestry depicting a image of a young woman, standing at a window. She wears a short sleeves spotted dress with a wide brimmed hat shading her eyes. The interiors of the room are richly decorated with geometric shapes.
Dimensions
  • Height: 213.4cm
  • Width: 152.4cm
  • Weight: 17kg (Note: Weight of object and storage pole.)
Production typeUnique
Production
Woven under the direction of Fiona Mathison who succeeded Brennan at Artistic Director at the Dovecot.

Reason For Production: Retail
Subjects depicted
Summary
Archie Brennan is credited with bringing about a renaissance in tapestry weaving and design in Britain. He trained as an apprentice tapestry weaver at the Edinburgh Tapestry Company, subsequently known as the Dovecot Studios. In 1958 he left to study at Edinburgh College of Art, returning to the Dovecot where he became head weaver and resident designer and artistic director from 1962-1978. In 1962 Brennan also established and developed the tapestry department in Edinburgh College of Art. Brennan's work is renowned for its humorous and decorative qualities, and often focuses on pattern and repetition. At a Window I illustrates Brennan's fascination with the idea of weaving an image of a patterned textile. The curtain, floor, dress and background tapestry are all highly patterned, featuring spots, repeating squares and zigzags. It was woven under the direction of Fiona Mathison, who succeeded Brennan as artistic director of the Dovecot Studios in 1978.
Collection
Accession number
T.177-1980

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Record createdSeptember 16, 2006
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