Bedcover
England, late 17th century
cotton embroidered with silk
This bedcover was made by an English man with Indian cotton, using the “typical Indian palette of golden yellow thread on white.” This was sold by GCE or the English East India Company. The design on the bedcover is intricate and throughout, repeating patterns that are floral. The market for Indian cotton and Indian style embroideries in England were not that great until the late 17th century when this was made. From then, embroideries made for the European market flourished, and “Indian embroidery influenced domestic design.” These bedcovers were meant to be sold in Europe, or wherever demand was greatest. These designs which were from a different country had became desired in their own countries of Europe. Showing changing tastes due to the influx of trade showed a cultural shift. Manufactorers in the English East India Company realized that they could jump into this market and started to make such goods using foreign styles.
For further information http://metmuseum.org/exhibitions/view?exhibitionId={063A1AA2-5A4E-439A-A332-046E00E8BD73}&oid=223005&pg=1&rpp=10&pos=8&ft=*
Eugene Delacroix
The Natchez 1835
Normally Indians are shown as savages, naked, wild, beasts or even barbarians. In this painting by Delacroix, you see a tender, almost effeminate qualities coming from a man. Wearing earrings, and having a feather in his hair he seems to don more jewelry than his female companion. He tenderly caresses the newborn baby and looks on with love. From the woman you can see masculine features in her face. She does not reach out to her newborn but instead looks at both the man and her child with serenity. Though these depictions of the Natchez show them in a different light, they still seem to be primitive. Both are wearing little to no clothing on some parts of their body, and seem to have no shoes. The painting though, instead of showing a warring scene or one with anger, shows a soft, sweet moment typical of Romanticism style painting. They seem at peace and free, being surrounded by nothing but land and water.
For further information http://metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/436180
Kelly Ip