Water-lily textile
This water-lily textile is one example of Wheeler’s innovative and justifiably famous "shadow silks." To make these fabrics a special warp-printing technique was employed: the warp (the vertical threads) was preprinted with the pattern beforehand, and when the solid-colored horizontal weft threads were woven in, the designs naturally fell slightly out of alignment. The twill weave creates a noticeable diagonal rib, and light reflects off the ribbed surface, further softening the printed design. These blurring effects, suggesting reflections on water, are heightened by the iridescence resulting from the use of contrasting colors for the warp and the weft—here, gold (warp) and pink (weft).
Artwork Details
- Title: Water-lily textile
- Designer: Associated Artists (1883–1907)
- Manufacturer: Manufactured by Cheney Brothers (American, 1838–1955)
- Date: 1883–1900
- Geography: Made in Connecticut, United States
- Culture: American
- Medium: Silk, woven and printed
- Dimensions: 26 1/2 x 8 1/4 in. (67.3 x 21 cm)
- Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Boudinot Keith, 1928
- Object Number: 28.70.14
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
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Associated Artists
Candace Wheeler
1883–1900
Associated Artists
Cheney Brothers
1883–1900
Associated Artists
Cheney Brothers
1883–1900
Associated Artists
1883–1900
Associated Artists
Cheney Brothers
1883–1900
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