“THE HIGH-METTLED RACER” TEXTILE YARDAGE, 1820s
Popular culture had inspired textile designs since the 1700s, when handkerchiefs illustrated popular songs, and this yardage continues the tradition. It traces the decline of a horse’s fortunes from racing thoroughbred to aged cart-horse in the popular opera “Liberty Hall.”
Although this looks like a copperplate print, using an older, more labor-intensive process, its shorter 20” repeat indicates it is an imitation produced by roller-printing.
England
Roller-printed cotton
22” x 26”
Gift of Mrs. John Elliott Jr., 91.166.1