MEDIA KIT - Queensland Art Gallery

PRIVATE THOUGHTS, POLITICAL DEBATES
At the start of the 19th-century, the British market was flooded with a new range of printed cottons. They
were used for clothing and furnishings, including the creation of light, bright coverings for the bedroom.
Printed textile panels became popular, with many celebrating military victories and royal celebrations. As
the making of patchwork spread among middle and working class homes, women were keen to produce
finely worked items that signalled their aspirations toward gentility.
COVERLET WITH KING GEORGE III REVIEWING THE
TROOPS 1803-05
This patchwork coverlet was worked during a period of
intense naval euphoria. The central scene shows King
George III reviewing the volunteer troops, and is based on a
painting by John Singleton Copley (1738–1815) His Majesty
reviewing the volunteer corps (1799). On 4 June 1799, King
George III carried out a review of 15,000 volunteer troops at
Hyde Park, London.
Maker unknown / Coverlet with King George III
reviewing the troops (detail) 1803–05/ Cotton /
Collection: Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
Given by Gertrude S Ferraby / © Victoria and
Albert Museum, London
In several scenes, a small, red-haired figure appears
alongside soldiers and sailors. Absent from the original
prints, this may well be a self-portrait of the maker.
COVERLET COMMEMORATING WELLINGTON
1829
Family history associates this coverlet with the
marriage of John and Elisabeth Chapman. The
block printed panel used at the centre of this
patchwork coverlet was printed to commemorate
Wellington's victory at Vittoria, the last battle of the
Peninsula War in 1813. The range of dates in the
coverlet, including papers dating from the 1790s
and the date of the central commemorative panel,
suggests that it was worked on for a number of
years, but never finished as the tacking stitches
have not been removed.
Elisabeth Chapman / Coverlet commemorating the Duke
of Wellington (detail) c.1829 / Cotton / Collection:
Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Given by
Gwendolyn Baker in memory of her husband, Stephen
Baker / © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
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