Henry van de Velde – Furnishing Fabrics

In his zeal to reform the accoutrements of everyday life, Henry van de Velde (1863–1957) first dedicated himself to dress fabrics and then turned his attention in 1900 to the “artistic revival of the upholstery pattern.” Responding to increased demand for home textiles, he was soon producing yard goods with repeating patterns. Both the jacquard weaves in faux silk and the printed linen and cotton fabrics are characterized by the bold use of color and rhythmic patterns. Using different colorways, van de Velde designed dynamic ornament that strongly abstracts any borrowings from natural flora and fauna.