Panel c. 19th century

This Panel was created by an anonymous artist. It features floral patterns in red, green and blue dyes, block printed on cotton. The process of block printing involves carving a design into a block of wood or another material, applying dye to the block, and then pressing it onto fabric. This process repeats across the surface of the cloth. The appearance of the fabric is greatly influenced by the way it has been printed, and the registration of the blocks. This can be seen in the variations of depth of color and alignment across the pattern. The evenness of color and precision of alignment are directly linked to the experience of the printer. Textile production has often been seen as a more humble form of making than other artforms, but in fact, objects like this require great skill and time to produce. Paying attention to materials, making and context allows us to understand the cultural significance and technical prowess behind this artwork, challenging distinctions between craft and fine art.