White
Furnishing Fabric
1913 (printed)
1913 (printed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The Omega Workshops at 33 Fitzroy Square 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'. 'White' was possibly named after the suffragette Amber Blanco-White, who rented a room at the top of the building in Fitzroy Square. It 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'. 'White' was possibly named after the suffragette Amber Blanco-White, who rented a room at the top of the building in Fitzroy Square. It was available in several colourways.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | White (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Printed linen |
| Brief description | Furnishing fabric 'White' of printed linen, possibly designed by Vanessa Bell in England for Omega Workshops, made in Maromme, France, 1913 |
| Physical description | Furnishing fabric of printed linen with a linear, striped and step pattern over colour patches. In orange, yellow and black on white. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | White 2/00576 (On the back) |
| Credit line | Given by Miss Margery Fry |
| Summary | The Omega Workshops at 33 Fitzroy Square 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'. 'White' was possibly named after the suffragette Amber Blanco-White, who rented a room at the top of the building in Fitzroy Square. It was available in several colourways. |
| Associated objects |
|
| Bibliographic reference | Beyond Bloomsbury. Designs of the Omega Workshops 1913-19, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 2009, p. 123, cat. 36C |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CIRC.32-1956 |
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
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | February 21, 2009 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
