Chinese No.3 1856

Owen Jones made this lithograph, titled Chinese No.3, in the 19th century. The print presents a series of decorative patterns and motifs inspired by Chinese design. Lithography, as a printing technique, allowed for the mass production of intricate designs like these, making them widely accessible for use in architecture, textiles, and other decorative arts. Jones meticulously studied historical designs from various cultures, and in this print, you can see the bold use of color and geometric forms, typical of his style. The use of lithography in creating these design templates speaks to the rise of industrial capitalism, and its impact on art and design, offering pattern books for wide distribution. But the act of printing itself, transforming hand-drawn designs into widely available templates, raises questions about the nature of creativity, cultural appropriation, and the value of craft in an age of mechanical reproduction. It challenges us to consider the labor, politics, and consumption involved in the creation and distribution of design.