Hearing from my readers is always exciting! This morning, I received a message about two John Little original textile designs for sale on eBay. Little was an abstract expressionist painter in Postwar New York, but during the depression he operated a textile and wall paper studio to earn an income. (For more on Little’s painting, click here to read my previous post)
Here you can see examples of Little’s textile designs, which he painted with gouache on paper. It was not uncommon for artists to design textiles in the Postwar economy. Salvador Dali designed textiles, and did exclusive designs for Elsa Schiaparelli, Adele Simpson, and Gilbert Adrian. The Onondaga Silk Company also commissioned an American Artist series in the late 1940s.
There is a stark contrast between Little’s paintings and textile designs. The textile designs are much more traditional and in line with mid-century fashion.
Little also collaborated with Greeff, an English textile company now owned by F. Schumacher & Co:
Greeff had pioneered the introduction of elaborate themed colletions, intended for the high-end interior decorator trade since the 1940s, featuring patters by designers such as Marion Dorn, John Little, Dan Rasmassen, and Dagmar Wilson. These continued to form a key element of the company’s repertoire, along with period ranges, such as American Legacy. (Jackson, Lesley. Twentieth Century Pattern Design. New York: Princeton Architetural Press, 2002, 117.)
Judging from the markings on the back, Little must have offered textile designs directly from his studio for purchase.
All images courtesy of consign2you
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Hi Monica, I just purchased an original John little gouache textile piece called Personalities. Just curious, do you have any idea how much the others sold for? I can’t find anything like it. Thanks! Laura
Hi Laura,
I’m not sure if the pieces on eBay sold. They were listed for about $400 each. Little’s oil paintings are currently being represented by Spainerman Modern. Maybe you could contact them? However, they don’t represent his works on paper or textile designs, as far as I know. I’d love to see an image of personalities, if you would be so kind to email me a photo :) monicadmurgia@gmail.com
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[...] John Little. (I’ve written several posts on Little, one on his abstract art, the other on his textile designs) When I first saw Little’s abstract paintings, I felt a connection to his work. I [...]
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[...] the Atelier Martine only produced textiles and wallpapers (similar business model to that of John Little). It eventually expanded production to include ceramics, rugs, lighting, and later decorating [...]
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