Pamela
- Object:
- Place of origin:
Maromme, France (made)
England, Great Britain (designed)
- Date:
- Artist/Maker:
Vanessa Bell, born 1879 - died 1961 (possibly, designer)
Grant, Duncan, born 1885 - died 1978 (possibly, designer)
Omega Workshops (designed for)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Credit Line:
- Museum number:
- Gallery location:
- Image in copyright
The Omega Workshops were founded in 1913 by the designer and painter Roger Fry (1866-1934). He brought together a group of artists to design furniture, pottery, glass, textiles and entire schemes of interior decoration. Their radically abstract style, typified by this textile, was far ahead of its time and was influenced by developments in contemporary painting.
In keeping with the painting tradition, Fry believed that designs should not be too mechanical and should show evidence of the artist's hand. The workshops produced six printed linens which were used by the most daring clients as dress fabrics. The printers are said to have used a secret process to 'preserve the freedom and spontaneity of the original drawing'. This pattern, 'Pamela', was available in several colourways.
Physical description
Printed linen furnishing fabric with an arc and angle pattern formed by bold lines and scalloped bands. Colours: orange, yellow, green, two tones of blue and black on a cream ground. On the selvedge is the Omega trade mark. On the back in ink 'Pamela I 00566'.
Place of Origin
Maromme, France (made)
England, Great Britain (designed)
Date
1913 (printed)
Artist/maker
Vanessa Bell, born 1879 - died 1961 (possibly, designer)
Grant, Duncan, born 1885 - died 1978 (possibly, designer)
Omega Workshops (designed for)
Materials and Techniques
Printed linen
Marks and inscriptions
On the back: Pamela 1/00566
Dimensions
Height: 40.5 cm, Width: 19.7 cm
Object history note
Miss M. Hogarth (given 1930) - gave textiles between 1928 and 1935 (MA/1/H2383).
Minute of 8.3.1930 in RPs regarding Circ. 3 - 11-1932 and T. 238-243-1931 by Director indicated: 'Examples of thse Omega fabrics are now difficult to procure and though they may not now be popular, yet they are interesting as representing a definite stage in the development of modern Decorative Art in this country. I should like, therefore, to recommend that the gift be very gratefully accepted. The pieces are small and can be accommodated in the portfolio. The duplicate pieces will be very useful, if required, for Circulation purposes.' Letter of acceptance dated 15/03/1930 and signed by Eric Maclagan. (30/2364)
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Beyond Bloomsbury. Designs of the Omega Workshops 1913-19, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 2009, p. 129, cat. 39E
Exhibition History
Radical Bloomsbury: Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant 1905-1925 (Brighton Museum and Art Gallery 16/04/2011-09/10/2011)
Conversation Anglaise: le Groupe de Bloomsbury (La Piscine 20/11/2009-20/02/2010)
Beyond Bloomsbury: Designs of the Omega Workshops, 1913-19 (Courtauld Gallery, Courtauld Institute of Art 01/01/2006-20/09/2009)
Categories
Textiles
Collection code
T&F
