Ontwerp voor een tapijt 1874

This is an anonymous design for a carpet. On the bottom of the design is some handwriting that indicates this was made in Bergzabern around 1876. Carpet designs such as these reflect a wide range of socio-economic elements. Looking at the visual codes, we can see the complex patterns, colours and symmetry typical of Islamic art. The use of floral and geometric motifs also indicate the influence of Islamic artistic traditions. At the time it was made, Europe was in the grip of what is now called Orientalism. The increased trading with the East, gave way to increased cultural influence that shaped art, literature and design. We might consider the design as part of the wider political landscape that informed aesthetic preferences. The role of the historian is to look at this kind of work, consider these influences, research relevant documents and cultural artefacts of the time, and reflect on the meaning of art as something that is contingent on the social and political context.