OSHER 174 - Fabrics in History and Art

Why the Iron Age or the Bronze Age, rather than the Pottery Age or the Flax Age? The development of fabric technologies and trade has influenced human history perhaps more than any other technology. But little evidence survives, and there is a tendency to regard the study of this history as frivolous. It is a fascinating story. This course will use works of art--paintings, sculptures, costumes, and decorative arts--to serve as discussion points in exploring the history of textiles, including linen, silk, wool, and cotton, and how they are represented by artists from ancient days in Egypt to today in the West. One class session will be devoted to examining actual textiles from the instructors' and class members' own personal collections.