A Javanese Motif
THE PRANG COMPANY
1922 Calumet Avenue, Chicago 30 Irving Place, New York
Copyright, 1921
By THE PRANG COMPANY
THE PREFACE
The growing interest in “Batik” leads the author to believe that this Handbook, describing the various processes and illustrating a number of definite problems, will meet the need of many artists, teachers, and craft workers who wish to try their hand at this new and fascinating oriental art.
The book does not attempt to present a historical or critical study of “Batik,” but to give detailed directions for doing the work under American conditions. “Batik” presents many new and interesting problems for art workers who have wearied of china painting, metal work, embroidery, etc. It not only permits the worker to produce exquisite gowns, scarfs, table covers, bags, curtains, and many other articles that will express her own individuality, and be exactly suited to the color scheme and design of their surroundings, but it also will enable the worker to produce articles of commercial value which are readily salable. As the beauty and value of “Batik” depends almost wholly upon the personal touch and artistic taste of the worker who produces it, there is little likelihood of its being commercialized or produced by mechanical processes. This promises to keep it an individual craft.
While “Batik” offers large opportunities for home workers, it also presents an interesting field for industrial art problems for students in art schools, high schools, normal schools, and colleges. Many progressive art teachers are offering courses in “Dyes and Dyeing” in connection with their scientific study of “Color,” and relating them also to the work in “Costume Design,” “Interior Decoration,” and “Domestic Art.”