Wardrobe
1916 (made)
| 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 cupboar, 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 cupboar, 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
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 6 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Painted wood |
| Brief description | Wardrobe, possibly painted by Roger Fry from the Omega Workshops, English, 1916 |
| Physical description | Single door wardrobe, painted wood. Carcase painted brown with five shelves. Door panel decorated with leaf and stem motif in blue and ochre on a light brown ground. Surround in green. Note on key: does not work (2018) |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by Mrs F.C.O. Speyer |
| Object history | 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 (information from donor). 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 - 1975 and CIRC.272 to CIRC.273-1975). |
| Historical context | Probably used as part of a bedroom suite by Lalla Vandervelde |
| Production | Decorated for Omega Workshops |
| 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 cupboar, 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.271:1to:2-1975 |
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| Record created | February 7, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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