Panel 1860 - 1880

This 'Panel' was woven by Mathevon et Bouvard, and features a complex floral pattern in shades of red. What makes this object interesting is its industrial production. Woven textiles like this were the result of sophisticated mechanical engineering. The Jacquard loom, which automated the weaving of complex patterns, was a direct precursor to the computer. Each thread had to be dyed, loaded onto the loom, and then woven according to a precise plan. You can see and almost feel the result in the panel’s dense, rhythmic surface. This piece is not just a pretty pattern; it’s the outcome of intense labor and technical ingenuity. The textile industry was often exploitative, yet the objects created also embodied a unique combination of artistic vision and mechanical process. By considering its making, we can appreciate how the boundaries between art, design, and industry become blurred.