Piece 1775 - 1785

This is "Piece" by Bromley Hall, a length of cotton produced using copperplate printing, a technique that came into fashion in the late 18th century. Textiles such as this one, featuring picturesque landscapes and exotic flora and fauna, became very popular in Europe and North America during the Enlightenment. They reflect an era when increased trade and exploration led to a fascination with the wider world. Yet these images often glossed over the realities of colonialism and the exploitation of both natural resources and people. The idyllic scenes mask the labor and resources extracted from colonized lands to produce these goods. Consider how patterns like these became associated with refinement and status in Europe, while simultaneously symbolizing the erasure of indigenous cultures and environments. What does it mean to appreciate the beauty of this textile while acknowledging the complex history woven into its fibers?