Upholstery Fabric for the Fisher Theater

Description

This velvet was designed to fit into the highly fantastical and elaborate Pre-Columbian inspired interior of the Fisher Theater in Detroit, illustrated in the panel to the left. The brightly colored and boldly patterned fabric, which features an abstract figure, coordinated with the overall theatricality of the environment. Pre-Columbian art and architecture became increasingly popular among American designers during the 1920s and ‘30s, in part due to the perception that these ancient art forms set a precedent for American artistic achievement independent of Europe.

Provenance

First 1/2, New York [invoice, Nov. 10, 1990; copy in curatorial object file]; sold to the Art Insitute of Chicago, 1990.

Upholstery Fabric for the Fisher Theater

Arthur Guy Mager

c. 1928

Accession Number

149696

Medium

Cotton and wool, plain weave with supplementary pile warps forming cut solid velvet; printed

Dimensions

183.5 × 141.3 cm (72 1/4 × 55 5/8 in.); Repeat: 68.4 × 68.5 cm (27 × 27 in.)

Classification

textile

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Purchased with funds provided by Mrs. Ralph P. Youngren