Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. dagobert peche died in 1923; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1993.
In context
Caftan — dagobert peche
Shaded: the lifetime of dagobert peche (1887–1923)
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Measured from the image
Main colour
Gray #768281
Catalogued palette
About this artwork
Caftan — dagobert peche
‘Rainbow’, silk with printed pattern of stripes with tonal gradation. From the late nineteenth to early twentieth centuries there was a movement in Vienna to create a new form of art led by the Viennese successionists. Influenced by this, the Wiener Werkstätte (Vienna Workshop) was established in 1903 with the aim of permeating art into every aspect of daily life under the motto, ‘Art Belongs to Everybody’. With this aim of fusing art and daily life, the workshop worked on the total design of living space, furniture, fixtures and fashion. In 1911 Eduard Josef Wimmer-Wisgrill established the fashion section there and the textile section was begun soon afterwards.The main financial backer of the Werkstätte since 1915, Otto Primavesi, and his wife, Eugenie, asked the leader of the workshop, Josef Hoffmann, to produce a country home for them in Moravia, Czechoslovakia. The Primavesi’s were introduced to Gustav Klimt by Hoffman and Klimt was to become a regular visitor to their country home. The caftan shown here belonged to the Primavesis and it is easy to imagine the artists who came to stay with them wearing it. The textile design is the work of the designer from the Werkstätte, Dagobert Peche. It is a very simple garment, just two pieces of square material sewn together, but despite this it has a dignified character.
Artist and museum
Born in St. Michael im Lavanttal, Austria
dagobert peche was an austrian artist and metalworker designer. he joined the wiener werkstätte in 1915 and exhibited at deutscher werkbund exhibition in cologne and then became a co-director thereof in 1916. whilst there in the early 1920s he introduced a 'spiky baroque' style inspired by folk-art, and using flowers, animals and human figures as decorative motifs.
On show in Masuda, Japan
Nestled within the tranquil landscapes of Japan’s Shimane Prefecture, the Iwami Art Museum serves as a profound sanctuary for those seeking the quiet pulse of Japanese aesthetic tradition. Established in 2005, the museum is not merely a building but a vital component of the Grand Toit arts complex, an architectural marvel whose sweeping, sloping roofs draw inspiration from French vernacular design. This intentional fusion of European structural elegance and Japanese cultural essence creates a breathtaking setting where visitors are immediately transported into a space of contemplative beauty. The museum stands as a cornerstone of the Shimane Arts Centre, acting as a bridge between the physical landscape of Masuda and the ethereal realms captured within its collection.
The heart of the museum beats most strongly through its masterful dedication to monochrome ink wash painting, or
sumi-e
. To walk through its galleries is to engage in a silent dialogue with Zen Buddhist principles, particularly through the celebrated works of Unkoku Togan. His brushwork, characterized by subtle tonal variations and a rhythmic precision, captures the very breath of nature, inviting collectors and enthusiasts alike to find stillness within the ink. This tradition of spiritual depth is further enriched by the vibrant, sculptural innovations of the Kanō school. The museum’s holdings of Kanō Shōei offer a striking contrast to the monochrome stillness; his canvases pulsate with dramatic color and mythological energy, showcasing a period of Japanese art that revolutionized composition through bold pigments and dynamic movement.
Beyond the ancient traditions of ink and silk, the Iwami Art Museum offers a captivating exploration of Japan’s encounter with the modern world. The collection brilliantly traces the evolution of
Yōga
—Western-style painting—through the transformative influence of Kuroda Seiki. As a pioneer of this movement, Seiki’s work embodies a sophisticated synthesis, where Western techniques of light and form are seamlessly woven into the existing fabric of Japanese sensibility. His ability to depict historical narratives and folklore with such expressive dynamism provides a crucial historical juncture for scholars and designers looking to understand the fluidity of cultural identity. Alongside masters like Fujishima Takeji and Kishida Ryūsei, the museum presents a panoramic view of an era where tradition and modernity began their complex, beautiful dance.
For the interior designer or the discerning art lover, the Iwami Art Museum offers more than just a viewing experience; it provides a masterclass in atmosphere and texture. The interplay between the museum's monumental architecture—the "large roof" of Grand Toit—and the delicate, nuanced textures of the artworks creates an environment of unparalleled sophistication. Whether one is drawn to the stark, meditative beauty of
sumi-e
or the rich, emotive landscapes of the Kanō school, the museum remains a singular destination where history, philosophy, and visual splendor converge in perfect harmony.
artsdot.com/en/art/download/dagobert-peche-caftan-D9PJQW-en/
Look closely
Caftan — dagobert peche
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