Sheet with overall floral pattern 1775 - 1875

This sheet with an overall floral pattern was made anonymously, and the date is unknown. The pattern is printed on paper, which gives it a tactile quality, unlike digitally produced patterns. The materiality of the printed floral pattern deeply influences its appearance. The repeated floral and foliage design shows an artisanal method of block printing. The black, beige and red hues, combined with the pattern, suggest it may have been a sample for textiles, potentially intended for clothing or home furnishings. This would have involved considerable labor, from the cultivation of cotton or flax, to the weaving process, through to the final printing stage. The anonymous nature of the work speaks to a time when design was often collaborative. It invites us to consider the labor and traditions that underpin our everyday surroundings, and highlights the intersection of art, craft, and industry.