Printed Cotton c. 1940

Joseph Lubrano made this printed cotton design sometime between 1855 and 1995. It features a symmetrical arrangement of flowers and foliage surrounding a vase, on which two birds perch. The textile industry has a long and complex history, deeply entwined with issues of trade, colonialism, and labor. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, textile mills were significant sites of industrial production, often employing women and children in harsh conditions. Designs like this one were crucial to the commercial success of these enterprises, as they dictated the aesthetic appeal and marketability of the fabrics produced. The imagery here—birds, blooms—speaks to a desire for luxury and beauty, qualities sought after by a growing middle class. Historians use a variety of sources to better understand art, from archival records of textile mills to fashion magazines and personal letters. These help contextualize the design within its broader social and economic landscape. Ultimately, this piece reminds us that even seemingly simple patterns can reveal a great deal about the cultural values and power dynamics of their time.