![Here we have a square detail image of a larger batik. It is a close-up detail from the right, middle section of a voluminous, horizontal mural, The World of Radio, in multiple warm colors. The muted earth tones include khaki brown, pale orange-red, yellow ochre, and shades of brown. The detail is a stylized, semi-realistic nearly monochrome cityscape made of geometric shapes and highly detailed forms paired with random decorative elements. There are two figures in the foreground, a steamship in the middle ground, and fragmented cityscape along multiple juxtaposed planes in the background. Amidst these planes are various decorative elements around the scene. There are tall vertical skyscrapers in upper left corner, floating above a streetscape sharply angling back to the left. At the upper right, there is a tall suspension bridge that takes up most of background’s sky. In the sky that is visible, there are billowing, abstract clouds made of small geometric shapes. In the middle ground, there is a large steamship floating in body of water in front of the city scape and suspension bridge. In the foreground, there are smaller boats and wharf. In the foreground, there are two figure’s heads in the bottom left corner and bottom center. The left figure is in profile and faces left, their body largely out of frame. The center figure faces forward and is holding a large, arcing scythe that frames their own head. Over the whole city scape, there is a treble clef staff that splits across middle of image and is layered over the scene. The music line then stops at a circular medallion to the frame’s right: a fanning flamenco dancer with the label [Concert] along the top of the circle. Because this image is a detail of a larger mural, there is a triangle border along the right edge which frames the entire batik.]( https://images.collection.cooperhewitt.org/309229_6f36d83855735fc4_b.jpg
"Mural Detail, The World of Radio, 1934")
Object Timeline
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Mural Detail, The World of Radio, 1934
This is a Mural detail. It was made for Jessica Dragonette. It is dated 1934. Its medium is cotton and its technique is wax resist dyeing (batik) on plain weave.
Likely a depiction of Cunard Steamship Company’s RMS Carpathia, which was outfitted with a Marconi wireless telegraph station and rescued survivors of the Titanic after receiving word of the 1912 maritime disaster from the wireless operators onboard the doomed ship. There were also several Marconi wireless operators on land who communicated with the Carpathia and shared information about the survivors with the public. Among the wireless operators was David Sarnoff, who later founded Radio Corporation of America (RCA).
It is credited Gift of Nicholas Meredith Turner in memory of Jessica Dragonette.
- Mural, The World of Radio
- cotton.
- Gift of Nicholas Meredith Turner in memory of Jessica Dragonette..
- 1983-73-1
This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition The World of Radio.
