Piece 1851 - 1872

This is a piece of patterned textile, likely made by the Stinton Brothers. The artwork is full of painted flowers and ribbons that have imbued it with social and cultural significance. The pattern displays the luxury of the upper classes through an aesthetic sensibility known to be pleasing, soft colours, curvilinear forms, and naturalistic representation. This textile would have been produced through labor-intensive processes, initially with designers creating patterns, and skilled craftspeople using techniques like woodblock printing or screen printing. The material itself, perhaps cotton or linen, reflects broader social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. The cultivation and processing of these materials often relied on exploitative labor practices, connecting the textile to global networks of trade and production. Understanding the materials, making, and context of this textile allows us to challenge distinctions between fine art and craft, recognizing the cultural and social value embedded within its creation.