The Book of Printed Fabrics. From the 16th century until today

In the far east of France, close to the German and Swiss borders, lies the historic city of Mulhouse. During the early 19th century, it became one of the leading centres of textile manufacture in the country. Today it is home to the Musée de l'Impression sur Étoffes, a museum dedicated entirely to the history of fabric printing from the 17th century right up to the present day.

Few are the serious fashion designers who have not come to visit this astonishing temple to textiles. This book, however, gives you the key to those vaults, presenting on its broad pages perfectly captured images of its collections that span four different continents - recounting a fascinating artistic and technological adventure across the world, from its origins in India to the most contemporary creations.

Across two volumes, you'll discover nine luxuriantly illustrated chapters that being to glorious life a chronological and thematic overview of the Musée's unprecedented retrospective of the art of printed fabrics. And that journey begins in India, with the first volume devoted to the far east origins of the designs that made these prints famous, and how they came over to the factories of Europe. You'll also find here stories and images detailing artistic innovations such as toile de Jouy and the development of new colour ranges.

In the second volume, the reader can look back at the incredible inventiveness of manufacturers and their designers throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Explore eye-catching cashmere motifs and the intense passion for nature and flowers that emerged under the Second Empire, before the artistic avant-gardes and modernity profoundly evolved the artistic creation of textile prints.

With nearly 900 pieces reproduced here to the highest possible standard, you will journey through the extraordinary tapestry of motifs and colours, that make this book such a peerless source of inspiration for textile enthusiasts of all kinds.

A readable sculpture for your table. Domino
The images are, without exception, sublime. They should provide endless inspiration to designers and great pleasure to lovers of textiles. The World of Interiors
Another impressive heavyweight from TASCHEN: The Book of Printed Fabrics is dedicated to the history of printed fabrics in two thick volumes. In principle, it is about everything that has to do with textile printing - vividly illustrated with almost 900 faithfully reproduced pieces. art
A new magnificent volume takes us on a journey through textile history. Aziza Gril-Mariotte provides a detailed history to accompany the extensive exhibition. Kurier
Aziza Gril-Mariotte immerses readers in lush floral prints... The history of textile printing reveals itself as a technical, but also sensual and adventurous narrative. Reading it shows how monotonous clothing and home textiles would look without printing. Welt am Sonntag
A real jewel... It's like bringing home a treasure from a bygone, far more opulent era. If you don't just stroke the illustrations with fascination, you will learn how textile printing developed in India and how the rest of the world was hungry for fabrics. Süddeutsche Zeitung
A deep dive into a staggering archive. Il Venerdi di Repubblica
A source of inspiration and study for textile enthusiasts. Abitare
This spellbinding and painstakingly researched volume is as good as a trip to the Musée de l'Impression sur Étoffes, a must-visit destination for all fashion designers. Donna Moderna
A wonder! Io Donna – Corriere della Sera
These color-filled pages are a feast for the eyes. Résidences Décoration
The bible of fabrics, but above all of fabric printing, is finally here, and reveals its secrets in two monumental volumes. Tribune des Arts
A sumptuous work of art - an encyclopedia of patterns articulated around the chronological history of printed fabrics, drawn mainly from the Mise collections. L’Alsace
A rare gem offering a privileged glimpse into the world of printed fabrics. Cool Hunting
This lavish, luxurious, exceptional tapestry of Mulhouse's Musée de l'Impression sur Etoffes' treasures tells tumultuous stories about global trade, technology, changing taste. Financial Times
More than an informational resource, these books are glorious works of art in their own right. Bright red spines and a gorgeous slipcase make for eye-catching decor on any coffee table, side table, or bookshelf. Print
A splendid tome that highlights the treasures of the Musée de l'impression sur étoffes. Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace
A complete itinerary among fabrics that are more or less ancient, more or lesser known, but all of which are imbued with history and meaning. Linkiesta
Let us seek to collect the scattered debris of the past and, above all, bring together the products of this era. Daniel Dollfus-Ausset

Aziza Gril-Mariotte, art historian, is a specialist in textiles and the industrial arts, and a teacher and researcher at the Université de Haute-Alsace. From 2019 until 2022, she has headed the Musée de l’Impression sur Étoffes in Mulhouse. She is currently director of Lyon's Musée des Tissus et des Arts décoratifs.

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