FIDM Museum Blog

Wiener Werkstatte girl's ensemble

 

Wiener Werkstatte
c. 1930
2005.5.170AB
Museum Purchase

Founded in 1903 by architect Josef Hoffman and artist Kolomon Moser, the Wiener Werkstatte (Vienna Workshop) was a group of artists, designers and craftsman dedicated to combining artistry and function in the design and manufacture of everyday objects. Like the 19th century reformers William Morris and Charles Ashbee, the founders of the Wiener Werkstatte believed that mass-production had diminished, if not entirely eliminated, the aesthetic appeal of everyday objects. The overarching goal of the Wiener Werkstatte was to create a gesamtkunstwerk, a total work of art that united architecture, furniture, graphic design, clothing and all other material elements of daily life into a unified and harmonious whole. To this end, Wiener Werkstatte designers reimagined everything from architecture, to furniture, even place settings for the dinner table. By 1928, the Wiener Werkstatte and affiliated designers were producing ceramics, metalwork, bound books, textile patterns, jewelry, lace and other objects. Wiener Werkstatte designs were realized by skilled craftspeople who worked under relatively progressive conditions.

Textile swatches

Today's post features a hodge-podge collection of textile swatches presented with a minimum of commentary and contextualization. We'll be back to our usual posts next week. In the meantime, enjoy these striking textiles!

Designed as European countries moved towards the fierce battles of World War II, these toy soldiers were probably used to decorate the bedroom of a young boy.

Printed cotton, probably a furnishing fabric
C. 1938
Gift of Roberta Tuller
2006.865.9

This whimsical cat and mouse print is very similar to some of the prints seen in the Miu Miu Spring 2010 Ready-to-Wear show. The paper tag seen at the top of the image indicates that this was a sample. Three of the five colorways are visible.

Silk crepe textile samples
c. 1938
Gift of Roberta Tuller
2006.865.14

Do nautical motifs ever go out of fashion?

Printed cotton
c. 1938
Gift of Roberta Tuller
2006.865.10
 
The textile below is another of our Wiener Werkstatte textile swatches. We are still in the process of documenting this large collection of textile swatches! Wish us luck!

"Gazelle" textile pattern
Franz Fochler
Wiener Werkstatte
1911-12
Gift of Robert Fortunoff
99.274.99

Wiener Werkstatte textiles

Remember this post about found textiles? Today's post features a group of Wiener Werkstatte textiles from the same collection.

The Wiener Werkstatte (Vienna Workshop) was an artistic collective based on an interest in eliminating the gap between fine art and crafts. Founded in 1903 by architect Josef Hoffman and artist Kolomon Moser, the Wiener Werkstatte's goal was to design and produce all objects needed in daily life. Consisting of a design school, studios for established designers, a production workshop and retail outlet, the Wiener Werkstatte's goal was to improve everyday life through excellent design and craftsmanship. From large scale architectural commissions to furniture and small decorative objects for the home, the designers associated with the Wiener Werkstatte envisioned all aspects of life united under a single artistic aesthetic, with all elements blending into a harmonious whole. The designs were brought to life by skilled craftspeople who worked under extremely progressive conditions.