Zoffany Arcadian Thames Wallpaper
Zoffany introduces the Arcadian Thames collection, new for SS23, capturing the idyllic allure of the Thames and its inspiring natural beauty. For over three centuries, this iconic river has served as a therapeutic refuge for Londoners, with its charming landscape of blooming meadows and ancient woodlands, fringed by grand historic homes and palaces. The term 'Arcadia' symbolizes a rural paradise, embodying virtue and pleasure. This stretch of the Thames, from Hampton to Kew, encapsulates centuries of history and served as a gathering place for poets, writers, and artists during the Age of Enlightenment. The Arcadian Thames collection includes five prints, five weaves, one embroidery, and six wallcoverings, each a tribute to the vision of 18th-century nobility and their commitment to preserving the English landscape. Peter Gomez, Zoffany's Lead Designer, emphasizes the unique historical and natural beauty of this riverside region, retelling its story through the Zoffany lens. Archive documents form the cornerstone of this collection, sensitively reinterpreted for the modern age, melding form, pattern, and color into an aesthetic harmony that is quintessentially Zoffany. Continuing its commitment to emerging talent, Zoffany has collaborated with artisan embroiderer Livia Papiernik and acclaimed mural artist Melissa White. Livia’s hand-finished embroidery showcases traditional French knots and advanced stitching techniques, while Melissa’s atmospheric 3m mural encapsulates the essence of the Arcadian Thames. Together, they present a poetic vision of London's past, preserved through an authentic, artistic hand.