Panel (Furnishing Fabric) c. 1830

This furnishing fabric was created by Hartmann et Fils, showing two fashionable women within oval frames. The production of textiles like this was a major industry in 19th-century Europe, particularly in France, where technological innovation allowed manufacturers to produce elaborate patterns and designs on a mass scale. As textile production became more industrialized, fabrics became cheaper and more accessible to a wider range of consumers. This democratisation of fashion and design had significant social implications, as people from different social classes could now emulate the styles of the wealthy. The images on the fabric reflect contemporary trends in portraiture, with the women depicted in elegant clothing and hairstyles. By reproducing these images on fabric, Hartmann et Fils was making high-end fashion accessible to a broader audience. To fully understand this furnishing fabric, we might research the history of textile production in 19th-century France. This would include examining business records, pattern books, and other documents that shed light on the social and economic context in which these objects were made.