Printed Textile c. 1941

This printed textile was designed by Ernest Capaldo. The floral design, with its wreath of roses, is like an insight into the process of making itself; a blooming, unfolding thing. The colours are muted; earthy reds, greens, and browns which give the piece a timeless, vintage feel. It’s as though we are seeing the world through a sepia-toned lens. Looking at the ribbon near the bottom, I notice how the blue accent is added to the brown in a way which really makes both colours sing. This piece, where the colors are carefully chosen and laid out, feels like the kind of image that keeps on giving. It reminds me a little of William Morris, a contemporary of Capaldo, who was also interested in patterns and decoration as an art form. Ultimately, it’s an image where you can get lost, where ambiguity and imagination take over.