Much later, during the Baroque period, the design of decorative textiles took its bearings from the ornaments of very advanced cultures of the past. Naturalistic representations were almust exclusively arranged in a secondary position and constituted backdrops to religious or mythological pricures.
In the 18th century, a wide variety of influences provided fertile soil for a new language of forms. This included textile depictions which attempted to approximate naturalistic representation with as much accuracy as possible. Details from real landscapes, flowers, birds and insects abounded on fabrics and lace which clothed people or were used for interior decoration.
In the 19th century, the love of the landscapes of home and of rural idylls was adopted into the canon of forms. The influence of the World Exhibitions, which took place regularly in European capitals from 1851, is reflected in a great pluralism of styles. After 1860, products from the Far East began to have an impact on European manufacture. This influence can be seen on the fire screens and blinds that were produced in Switzerland.
landscape with river
splitstich, drawing
France 1780-1800
part of lambrequin
rolerprinted on cotton
France, Jouy, 1810-20
