Textile
1780â1810
Medium
printed, dyed & painted textiles
Classification
printed, dyed & painted textiles
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Bequest of Elinor Merrell
Accession Number
1995-50-30
About this artwork
Natural-colored square printed with a central urn of flowers and wheat stalks surrounded by isolated motifs of butterflies, and birds in trees and on sprigs. Printed in black, blue, tan, yellow, and two shades of red.
Art Historical Context
This vibrant textile by John Hewson, an English-born printer active in America from the 1770s, exemplifies the artistry of early American calico production during the late 18 to early 19th century. Dated between 1780 and 1810, the natural-colored square features a central neoclassical urn overflowing with flowers and wheat stalks—symbols of abundance and prosperity—framed by delicate motifs of butterflies, birds perched in trees, and sprigs. Hewson's masterful use of black, blue, tan,, and two shades of creates a lively, balanced composition that would have adorned clothing, curtains, or bedco...