For those in the know within the textile community, the city of Mulhouse in eastern France is already on your radar. But for those textile laymen like myself, who have a surface-level appreciation for textiles and enjoy pretty patterns, you likely have yet to hear of the historic site. Mulhouse is something of a textile mecca, having served as one of France’s leading centers of textile manufacturing during the early 19th century. Now, it is home to the Musée de l’Impression sur Étoffes, a museum dedicated to the history of fabric printing from the 17th century to the present day.
Dress fabrics; Block-printed cotton Jouy-en-Josas, Oberkampf, 1795;
© Musée de l’Impression sur Étoffes, Dist. RMNGrand Palais.
Jean-Antoine Fraisse; Design for Indian fabric; Engraving; From: Livre de desseins chinois, 1735 Chantilly, Musée Condé © Musée de l’Impression sur Étoffes, Dist. RMNGrand Palais
To help spread the Musée de l’Impression sur Étoffes gospel and share pieces from its collection with the masses, TASCHEN has released a two-volume collection of works from the museum entitled The Book of Printed Fabrics: From the 16th Century Until Today. Compiled and authored by Aziza Gril-Mariotte, an art historian, textiles specialist, teacher, researcher, and the former head of the Musée de l’Impression sur Étoffes, the books contain high-res images of almost 900 pieces spanning four continents.
Games room in Schloss Hof, first floor, c. 1770; Austria, Schloss Hof; Schloß Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H. / Fotograf: Alexander Eugen Koller
Indian cotton with pattern in a Japanese style; Mordant- and resist-dyed painted cotton; India, Coromandel Coast, first half of the 18th century; © Musée de l’Impression sur Étoffes, Dist. RMNGrand Palais.
The first volume of this collection starts in India, recounting the origins of textile design in the Far East and how those patterns then made their way to factories in Europe. Volume one digs into the histories of some of the most beloved textile styles and trends, such as toile de Jouy and the development of certain color ranges.
Furnishing fabric; Printed cotton; Wesserling, Gros, Roman, Marozeau & Cie, 1874; © Musée de l’Impression sur Étoffes, Dist. RMNGrand Palais
Volume two delves into the innovations of textile manufacturers and designers during the 19th and 20th centuries. These include cashmere motifs and the emergence of natural and floral depictions.
Lead-based printing block for corner of a Paisley shawl; Wood, metal; France, c. 1860; Mulhouse, Musée de l’Impression sur Étoffes; © Musée de l’Impression sur Étoffes, Dist. RMNGrand Palais
More than an informational resource, these books are glorious works of art in their own right. Bright red spines and a gorgeous slipcase make for eye-catching decor on any coffee table, side table, or bookshelf.