Pastoral Toiles

 

American pastoral toiles were mainly influenced by French and English ones.  Yet while the musical lovers and shepherds of  "Serenade" are European motifs, the sketchy drawings and colorwashes are distinctly American.

This idyllic fishing scene, a common subject of Old World toiles, has a Tom Sawyer/Becky Thatcher air about it.

Three versions of the classic toile, "Four Seasons," include the original 18th century French pattern (right),  a multi-color 1970's adaptation by Waverly (bottom left), and a mid-20th century whimsical take-off (bottom right).

"Paysanne," another reproduction of European scenes, has a more-the-merrier American quality, with no less than ten different vignettes in a 38" repeat.  It was styled by David Stapler, one of Philadelphia's leading fabric entrepreneurs. (See our exhibit, "The Fabric of Our Lives: A History of Philadelphia's South Fourth Street.")

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