Maud
Furnishing Fabric
ca. 1913 (made)
ca. 1913 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
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.
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.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Maud (manufacturer's title) |
| Materials and techniques | Printed linen |
| Brief description | Furnishing fabric, 'Maud', printed linen, designed by Vanessa Bell, made by Besselièvre, Maromme, France, retailed by Omega Workshops, Great Britain, ca. 1913 |
| 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. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Given by Roger Fry |
| Object history | (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. |
| Production | 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/- |
| Summary | 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. |
| Associated object | MISC.2:39-1934 (Design) |
| Bibliographic reference | Beyond Bloomsbury. Designs of the Omega Workshops 1913-19, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 2009, p. 116, cat. 34A. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.388-1913 |
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| Record created | September 28, 2004 |
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