The Hunt (Design for fabric) 1919

Raoul Dufy’s “The Hunt” fabric design features bold red motifs set against a warm neutral ground. I can just imagine him, brush in hand, carefully laying down each stroke, watching the scene unfold like a vibrant story, with foliage, hunters, and hounds. Dufy's work often feels light and airy, and you can see how his paintings might lead to textiles. The red is so vivid! It gives an energy that is perfect for a fabric design. It's almost like he's not just decorating a surface, but creating a whole atmosphere. I can imagine him looking at Matisse before beginning, maybe thinking about what a painting should feel like, what it should be. It's this exchange of ideas that I find so fascinating – artists riffing off each other across time and space, creating a chain reaction of inspiration.