Improper thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Improper

Dress Fabric
1996 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This textile features pornographic illustrations from 17th-century erotic literature. During the Enlightenment pornography was also used as a political commentry, a medium of social criticism and satire, most famously aimed at the French Queen Marie Antoinette. Gary Page, chief designer at the fashion company, Red or Dead, took inspiration from the stories of the Marquis de Sade (1740-1814), exploring notions of order and disorder, cleanliness and dirt and proper and improper behaviour, hence the title. The textile was used for bed furnishings and pyjamas.


Object details

Category
Object type
TitleImproper (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Printed cotton with photo luminescent pigment
Brief description
'Improper'. printed cotton dress fabric with 17th-century French pornographic illustrations, by Gary Page, England, 1996
Physical description
Printed cotton with photo luminescent pigment featuring pornographic illustrations from 17th-century French erotic literature
Dimensions
  • Length: 282cm
  • Width: 143cm
Production typeMass produced
Credit line
Given by Gary Page
Production
Printed by IVO Prints, Southall
Subject depicted
Summary
This textile features pornographic illustrations from 17th-century erotic literature. During the Enlightenment pornography was also used as a political commentry, a medium of social criticism and satire, most famously aimed at the French Queen Marie Antoinette. Gary Page, chief designer at the fashion company, Red or Dead, took inspiration from the stories of the Marquis de Sade (1740-1814), exploring notions of order and disorder, cleanliness and dirt and proper and improper behaviour, hence the title. The textile was used for bed furnishings and pyjamas.
Collection
Accession number
T.9-2007

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Record createdJuly 26, 2007
Record URL
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