Not currently on display at the V&A

Pegasus

Furnishing Fabric
ca. 1931 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Raoul Dufy (1877-1953) designed this woven silk furnishing fabric called ‘Pegasus’ for Bianchini-Férier about 1931. Dufy was a painter who had exhibited with the Fauves. He began to design textiles for Paul Poiret in 1911. From 1912 until 1930 he designed woven and printed textiles for the silk manufacturers Bianchini-Férier. He created a range of lively fabrics in bright colours, many of which were bought by leading couturiers such as Lanvin, Patou and Poiret.

Dufy’s woven and printed silks are recognisably in the same manner as his drawings and paintings. In these, the space is treated decoratively, rather than imposing a fixed perspective. Much avant-garde art of the time employed this technique. Dufy’s intense colours tend to exceed the dynamic lines of the composition. Many of his fabrics depict exotic or mythological animals.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitlePegasus (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Woven silk
Brief description
Silk, French, 1931 ca.
Physical description
Emerald green leaping horses alternating with large dark red orchids.
Dimensions
  • Length: 96.5cm
  • Width: 63.5cm
Style
Summary
Raoul Dufy (1877-1953) designed this woven silk furnishing fabric called ‘Pegasus’ for Bianchini-Férier about 1931. Dufy was a painter who had exhibited with the Fauves. He began to design textiles for Paul Poiret in 1911. From 1912 until 1930 he designed woven and printed textiles for the silk manufacturers Bianchini-Férier. He created a range of lively fabrics in bright colours, many of which were bought by leading couturiers such as Lanvin, Patou and Poiret.

Dufy’s woven and printed silks are recognisably in the same manner as his drawings and paintings. In these, the space is treated decoratively, rather than imposing a fixed perspective. Much avant-garde art of the time employed this technique. Dufy’s intense colours tend to exceed the dynamic lines of the composition. Many of his fabrics depict exotic or mythological animals.
Bibliographic reference
Samuels, Charlotte. Art Deco Textiles. London : V&A Publications, 2003. Plate 17.
Collection
Accession number
T.1-1932

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdAugust 14, 2002
Record URL
Download as: JSON