the visual rhetoric of fabric

[flummoxicated]

I'm not certain - but I think this fabric is depicting slaves at work on a plantation. What do you think?



I found it on eBay (link for auction that ends December 24).

Comments

[indywind]

I think you could choose to take it as happy people enjoying a harvest-season party on Trinidad.

Or yeah, slaves.

[flaming-mo.livejournal.com]

Obviously it's a quaint depiction of Dutch colonialism.

[indigodye.livejournal.com]

Wow.

But its FUN ETHNIC.

[noxcat.livejournal.com]

I can easily see where that idea would come to mind. :)

[beanolc.livejournal.com]

Yup, totally.

It is what it is...

[dame-eleanor.livejournal.com]

Yes, I do think that is what it represents, for example the magnolia blossoms, the white pillars of plantation house, and the people working.

The color palette is very reminiscent of some of the items you see in antique or second-hand stores from the 1930's and 40's, such as salt and pepper shakers, dolls, kitchen accessories, and so forth, which are collector's items to some.

I'd view it as an historical artifact. Mercifully, current sensiblities are far different than they were then, and that's a positive thing!

[the-lunchbox.livejournal.com]

Gee, looks to me like some Sicilians making sauce with fresh tomatoes!

[flummoxicated.livejournal.com]

Those Sicilians are pretty swarthy!