Wardrobe
1916 (made), 1915 (designed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This wardrobe is thought to have been part of a suite of furniture decorated for the London apartment of Madame Lalla Vandervelde, wife of the Belgian War Minister.
In July 1913, Roger Fry opened Omega Workshops Ltd., in Fitzroy Street, London. Fry was a promoter of decorative arts, and wanted to remove the division in perception between the fine and decorative arts. In the workshop, artists produced pieces that were anonymous, signed only with the Greek letter Omega.
The wardrobe itself is an ordinary cupboard purchased and decorated by the Omega Workshops. Stylistically, Omega rejected formal decorative schemes in favour of abstracted figurative designs, often inspired by folk art as well as by continental movements such as Fauvism and Cubism. Fry wanted works to be appreciated for their aesthetic quality and not purchased because they were produced by a popular artist. The workshops were short-lived and a closing sale was held in June 1919.
In July 1913, Roger Fry opened Omega Workshops Ltd., in Fitzroy Street, London. Fry was a promoter of decorative arts, and wanted to remove the division in perception between the fine and decorative arts. In the workshop, artists produced pieces that were anonymous, signed only with the Greek letter Omega.
The wardrobe itself is an ordinary cupboard purchased and decorated by the Omega Workshops. Stylistically, Omega rejected formal decorative schemes in favour of abstracted figurative designs, often inspired by folk art as well as by continental movements such as Fauvism and Cubism. Fry wanted works to be appreciated for their aesthetic quality and not purchased because they were produced by a popular artist. The workshops were short-lived and a closing sale was held in June 1919.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 6 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Painted wood |
| Brief description | Wardrobe, decoration probably designed by Roger Fry, for the Omega Workshops, English, 1916 |
| Physical description | Wardrobe, with two doors, opening at the centre. Carcass and door surrounds painted in black and yellow. Sides of the wardrobe are additionally painted with leaves. Door panels have design of stylized red, black and white flowers and leaves in pots against a grey background. Note on key: fits keyhole but does not turn (2018) |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Unique |
| Gallery label | WARDROBE (two door)
Possibly painted by Roger Fry (British, 1866-1934) for Omega Workshops, London
Painted wood
1916
Said to have been part of a suite of furniture decorated for the apartment of Madame Lalla Vandervelde, the wife of the Belgian War Minister, in Rosetti Mansions, Flood Street, London. The suite itself probably consisted of ready-made pieces purchased by Omega for decorating.
Bequest of Mrs F.C.O. Speyer
Circ.270-1975(1989-2006) |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Mrs F.C.O. Speyer |
| Object history | This wardrobe was reputedly from the Chelsea flat of Madame Lalla Vandervelde, a friend of Fry's and the wife of the Belgian war minister. The wardrobe itself is an ordinary cupboard purchased by Omega and decorated in the Workshops. Stylistically, Omega rejected formal decorative schemes in favour of abstracted figurative designs, often inspired by folk art as well as continental movements such as Fauvism and Cubism. The workshops were short-lived and the closing sale was held in June 1919. [Gareth Williams, 'British Design at Home', p.107] Another wardrobe, a bed and two corner cupboards, which are also said to have been made for her flat, are in the V&A collection (CIRC.270 to CIRC.271-1975 and CIRC.273-1975). |
| Historical context | Probably used by Lalla Vandervelde. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This wardrobe is thought to have been part of a suite of furniture decorated for the London apartment of Madame Lalla Vandervelde, wife of the Belgian War Minister. In July 1913, Roger Fry opened Omega Workshops Ltd., in Fitzroy Street, London. Fry was a promoter of decorative arts, and wanted to remove the division in perception between the fine and decorative arts. In the workshop, artists produced pieces that were anonymous, signed only with the Greek letter Omega. The wardrobe itself is an ordinary cupboard purchased and decorated by the Omega Workshops. Stylistically, Omega rejected formal decorative schemes in favour of abstracted figurative designs, often inspired by folk art as well as by continental movements such as Fauvism and Cubism. Fry wanted works to be appreciated for their aesthetic quality and not purchased because they were produced by a popular artist. The workshops were short-lived and a closing sale was held in June 1919. |
| Associated objects | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CIRC.272:1to5-1975 |
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| Record created | February 9, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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