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Roman Candles

A beige textile with may tight rows of multiple dark lines intersecting at a their central bases, orbs of red, yellow, and brown at the ends of these angled lines.

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  • A beige textile with may tight rows of multiple dark lines intersecting at a their central bases, orbs of red, yellow, and brown at the ends of these angled lines.

Date:

c. 1951

Artist:

Designed by Joel Robinson (American, 1915-2012)
Produced by L. Anton Maix, Inc.

About this artwork

This dynamic fabric is an example of Joel Robinson’s freelance work with textiles and furniture design, which he undertook alongside a day job in advertising. Featuring a network of multicolored dots and radiating black lines, this celebratory fabric recalls the sparks of the popular fireworks of the same name.

In 1951 Roman Candles was awarded a prize as part of the Good Design exhibition series, co-organized by the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. Robinson contributed textile designs to several Good Design exhibitions as the first and only African American designer selected to participate in this prestigious mid-century design program.

Status

On View, Gallery 285

Department

Textiles

Artists

Joel Robinson (Designer) , L. Anton Maix Fabrics (Producer)

Title

Roman Candles

Places

New York (Object made in), United States (Object made in)

Date

Made 1947-1955

Medium

Linen, plain weave; screen printed

Inscriptions

Selvage: 'Roman Candles' by Joel Robinson / Patt. Rep. 9"

Dimensions

182.9 × 128.3 cm (72 × 50 1/2 in.)

Credit Line

Mr. and Mrs. William W. McKittrick Endowment Fund

Reference Number

2019.1302

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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