18 May – 15 August 2021
Please note: this exhibition’s opening date may be subject to change, in line with governement guidance.
Japanese dress (detail). Cotton, painted with chintz technique, India 1700-1725. Collection Fries Museum, The Netherlands. © Photo Studio Noorderblik.
The complicated technical craftsmanship required to fix bright dyes to cotton, devised across centuries and using complex chemical formulae, meant that for many years Chintz was a closely guarded secret, or preserve of the elite. However, by the 18th century chintz had become more widely accessible. The lightweight, washable, gaily coloured and boldly patterned cottons eventually became a sensation throughout England and across Europe. These developments resulted in the intricate, colourful flowers of chintz fabric being cherished and preserved by generations.
Chintz: Cotton in Bloom showcases some 150 examples of this treasured textile, originating from all around the world; from mittens to wall hangings and from extravagant 18th-century sun hats to stylish mourning dresses.
Exhibition Organised by the Fries Museum, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands. www.friesmuseum.nl
Exhibition Highlights
Coat and dress for women © photostudio Noorderblik
Palempore © Museum of Friesland Leeuwarden
Girls jacket with millefleur pattern; below a hand-painted girl’s chintz petticoat. Cotton, painted and dyed using the chintz technique. India, 1725-1775, jacket about 1760. Fries Museum Leeuwarden. Photo Studio Noorderblik.
Images left to right: Women’s jacket. Cotton, painted and dyed using the chintz technique. India, 1775-1790. Fries Museum Leeuwarden – loan Ottema-Kingma Foundation. Photo Studio Noorderblik. Hindeloopen under jacket. Cotton, painted and dyed using the chintz technique. India, 1700-1775. Fries Museum Leeuwarden – loan Ottema Kingma Foundation.
Hindelooper wentke blue-white © photostudio Noorderblik
Detail of jacket. Cotton, painted and dyed using the chintz technique. India, 1725-1750. Fries Museum Leeuwarden. Photo Studio Noorderblik.
Hindeloopen ‘wentke’ (long women’s coat). Cotton, painted and dyed using the chintz technique. India, 1725-1750. Fries Museum Leeuwarden. Photo Studio Noorderblik.
Images left to right: Detail of chintz palempore with Burmania armorial. Cotton, painted and dyed using the chintz technique. India, 1700-1725. Fries Museum Leeuwarden. Photo Studio Noorderblik. Empire jacket made from a recycled chintz petticoat. Cotton, painted and dyed using the chintz technique. India, 1750-1775. Jacket: Friesland, around 1810-1820.
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