Indian No.5 1856

Owen Jones created this chromolithograph, titled Indian No.5, in the 19th century. The printmaking process is evident in the crisp lines and flat planes of color that constitute the intricate floral design. Jones was profoundly interested in the relationship between design and production, and in the capacity of print to make patterns available for mass consumption. The print is an example of Jones’s influential design theory, articulated in his treatise "The Grammar of Ornament," itself published as a chromolithograph. He believed that ornament should be both beautiful and functional, and that the best designs were those that were rooted in historical and cultural traditions. His meticulous rendering and attention to detail elevate it to a sophisticated artwork. "Indian No.5" exemplifies how the study of materials, making, and context can enrich our understanding of art, blurring the lines between fine art, craft, and design.