Persian No.4a 1856

Owen Jones created this chromolithograph, Persian No. 4a. It's made with a printing process that uses multiple colours, a technique that democratized color and made it accessible to a wider audience. The artwork shows a range of decorative patterns and floral motifs, typical of Persian design. The appeal of Jones’s work, as with the Arts and Crafts movement, lies in its combination of handcraft aesthetics with industrial means. These chromatic prints reflect the tension between artisanal skill and mechanical production. This lithograph is part of a broader cultural movement, where artists and designers sought inspiration from non-Western traditions. Jones played a significant role in shaping Victorian design sensibilities through his studies of world cultures. The mass production of these designs allowed them to influence a wide range of applied arts, from textiles to wallpaper. Paying close attention to the materiality and making of this artwork challenges the conventional hierarchy between fine art and design. It encourages us to recognize the social and cultural significance embedded in the craft and design practices of the 19th century.