18 May – 15 August 2021
Please note: this exhibition’s opening date may be subject to change, in line with governement guidance.
Chintz: Cotton in Bloom is a collection with an extraordinary story, spanning hundreds of years and thousands of miles.
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 BOOK YOUR TICKETS
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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