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2005 Princely Interiors Furnishing Textiles of the 18th Century 24 April – 13 November 2005 daily 2 p.m. – 5.30 p.m. |
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Materials and their Use Patterned silks, brocatelles and embroideries were made into wall hangings and bed decorations. Woollen velvets, leather panels and flocked fabrics served as hangings and upholstery materials, particularly in countries with cooler climates. |
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Harmonious Interior Décor The textile furnishings for a room were designed en suite – with textiles of matching colours and patterns. In affluent households the furnishings were regularly changed at the beginning of summer and winter. |
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Royal Patrons Powerful rulers realised the potential of sumptuous textile furnishings as a manifestation of their status. Catherine the Great of Russia, for example, regularly ordered patterned silk from Lyons and corresponded with the famous designer Philippe de Lasalle. |
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Painted Silks «Peking hangings» – in fact painted silks – were shipped to Europe from China. Their exotic and playful patterns made them particularly popular as furnishings for bedrooms and pleasure palaces. |
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Classicism Towards the end of the eighteenth century there was an increasing interest in Classical and Renaissance art forms. This led to a change of style in architecture and the decorative arts towards more severe compositions and cooler colours. |
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