Cherwell c. 1885

John Henry Dearle created this textile, "Cherwell", with dyed cotton. At first glance, you are confronted with an all-encompassing dense array of golden floral motifs set against a deep teal background. The composition is meticulously structured: larger chrysanthemum-like flowers serve as focal points, interconnected by winding stems and smaller blossoms. Dearle, a prominent figure in the Arts and Crafts movement, imbues this textile with a fascination for natural forms seen through the lens of design. The work flattens the pictorial space to emphasize the surface pattern, in defiance of traditional perspective. It challenges the hierarchy between fine art and decorative arts, elevating textiles to a form of artistic expression. The intricate details and organic lines can be interpreted as signs of the movement's broader cultural critique and its embrace of beauty in everyday objects. Ultimately, this textile uses form to challenge conventional notions of art and craft.