Textile Detail c. 1941

Dorothea Bates created this textile detail, of unknown date, with unknown materials. The artwork can be seen as a kind of diagram, documenting a variety of textile patterns through freehand drawing. It would be interesting to know where and when Bates produced this piece, as the culture and its institutions might have heavily influenced her artistic practice. Was she working within the context of a design school, perhaps? In what ways does the drawing reflect or challenge traditional approaches to textile design? What was the perceived value of the design and textile industries at that time? Was this a commercial venture or a private piece? Such questions highlight the role of the social historian of art. By researching the cultural and institutional contexts in which artworks are made, we can more fully understand their historical significance. Auction records, design publications, and historical archives can all help in this effort.