Wandbespanning 1911 - 1915

This is a length of printed linen known as ‘Wandbespanning’, made by Chris Lebeau in the Netherlands. The repeating stylized botanical pattern would have been at home in many early twentieth century interiors. But it is worth considering how the image creates meaning through its cultural references and historical associations. Lebeau’s career was forged at a time when artists and designers were looking for a new visual language to reflect the changing social and political landscape. The Netherlands, like many European countries, was experiencing rapid industrialization and urbanization and designers looked to art nouveau for inspiration. The style, with its organic forms and flowing lines, was seen as a way to reconnect with nature and to create a more beautiful and harmonious environment. As historians, we can use sources such as exhibition catalogs, design journals, and artist biographies to understand the social and institutional context in which the work was made. Art is something that is contingent on its social and institutional context.