Pamela
Furnishing Fabric
1913 (printed)
1913 (printed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The Omega Workshops were founded in 1913 by the designer and painter Roger Fry (1866-1934). He brought together a group of artists to design furniture, pottery, glass, textiles and entire schemes of interior decoration. Their radically abstract style, typified by this textile, was far ahead of its time and was influenced by developments in contemporary painting.
In keeping with the painting tradition, Fry believed that designs should not be too mechanical and should show evidence of the artist's hand. The workshops produced six printed linens which were used by the most daring clients as dress fabrics. The printers are said to have used a secret process to 'preserve the freedom and spontaneity of the original drawing'. This pattern, 'Pamela', was available in several colourways.
In keeping with the painting tradition, Fry believed that designs should not be too mechanical and should show evidence of the artist's hand. The workshops produced six printed linens which were used by the most daring clients as dress fabrics. The printers are said to have used a secret process to 'preserve the freedom and spontaneity of the original drawing'. This pattern, 'Pamela', was available in several colourways.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Pamela (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Printed linen |
| Brief description | Furnishing fabric 'Pamela' of printed linen, possibly designed by Vanessa Bell or Duncan Grant in England for Omega Workshops, made in Maromme, 1913 |
| Physical description | Furnishing fabric of printed linen with an arc and angle pattern formed by bold lines and scalloped bands. Colours are orange, yellow, green, two tones of blue and black on a cream ground. On the selvedge is the Omega trade mark. On the back in ink is 'Pamela I 00566'. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Pamela 1 / 00566 (On the back) |
| Credit line | Given by Miss M. Hogarth |
| Object history | Miss M. Hogarth (given 1930) - gave textiles between 1928 and 1935 (MA/1/H2383). Minute of 8.3.1930 in RPs regarding Circ. 3 - 11-1932 and T. 238-243-1931 by Director indicated: 'Examples of thse Omega fabrics are now difficult to procure and though they may not now be popular, yet they are interesting as representing a definite stage in the development of modern Decorative Art in this country. I should like, therefore, to recommend that the gift be very gratefully accepted. The pieces are small and can be accommodated in the portfolio. The duplicate pieces will be very useful, if required, for Circulation purposes.' Letter of acceptance dated 15/03/1930 and signed by Eric Maclagan. (30/2364) |
| Summary | The Omega Workshops were founded in 1913 by the designer and painter Roger Fry (1866-1934). He brought together a group of artists to design furniture, pottery, glass, textiles and entire schemes of interior decoration. Their radically abstract style, typified by this textile, was far ahead of its time and was influenced by developments in contemporary painting. In keeping with the painting tradition, Fry believed that designs should not be too mechanical and should show evidence of the artist's hand. The workshops produced six printed linens which were used by the most daring clients as dress fabrics. The printers are said to have used a secret process to 'preserve the freedom and spontaneity of the original drawing'. This pattern, 'Pamela', was available in several colourways. |
| Associated objects |
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| Bibliographic reference | Beyond Bloomsbury. Designs of the Omega Workshops 1913-19, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 2009, p. 129, cat. 39E |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.238-1931 |
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| Record created | February 21, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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