“Look at the rugs – find me” Märta Måås at the Royal Palace
The “Look at the rugs – find me” exhibition will be extended until 4 October – Royal Palace -(Kungliga Slottet, Stockholm, Sweden)
The major exhibition at the Royal Palace gives visitors the opportunity to wander through the woven world of Märta Måås-Fjetterström
When asked to describe her artistry, she said: “Look at the rugs – find me”. It was her rugs that spoke expressively about who she was, her sources of inspiration, her life and career, and the conditions experienced by female entrepreneurs during the first half of the twentieth century.
Märta Måås-Fjetterström (1873–1941) was without doubt one of the 20th century’s leading and most successful textile artists. Her innovative designs were based on in-depth knowledge of the history of textiles, from the bold patterns of historic folkloristic styles to the traditional motifs of oriental rugs. The world exhibitions in Paris, London, New York and Chicago helped to build Märta Måås-Fjetterström’s international reputation and a worldwide customer base.
Over the years, the Royal Family have shown their appreciation and support for Swedish craftsmanship. The work of Märta Måås-Fjetterström is one example of this. She received the Litteris et Artibus medal as early as 1924.
Märta Måås-Fjetterström at her work table in the workshop in Båstad. Photo: Archive photo from Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB / Kungligaslotten.se – CopyrightKungl. Royal Court
The exhibition
The Royal Family have regularly purchased rugs created by Märta Måås-Fjetterström since her workshop began operations in 1919. This year marks the centenary of when she started her studio, and The King has taken the initiative for an exhibition about and including her work. Rugs from the Royal Collections will go on display for the first time.
Together with external loans, the exhibition will also present around sixty rugs reflecting Märta Måås-Fjetterström’s output up until her death in 1941.
Textile art for generations
“It was The King himself who took the initiative for this exhibition,” explains Kerstin Hagsgård, Curator of the Royal Collections. “Since this year is the centenary of when she started her studio, and since the Royal Family have taken an interest in her work from the very beginning, we decided to display rugs from the Royal Collections. At the same time, we are also taking the opportunity to showcase the full extent of her artistry.”
Märta Måås-Fjetterström’s rugs have been used in royal settings for generations.
Read more HERE
Gustav VI Adolf on a visit to Märta Måås-Fjetterström’s weaving mill in Båstad 1970. Photo: Hans Karlsson / Kungligaslotten.se – CopyrightKungl. Royal Court
Gustav VI Adolf on a visit to Märta Måås-Fjetterström’s weaving mill in Båstad 1970. Photo: Hans Karlsson / Kungligaslotten.se – CopyrightKungl. Royal Court
The loom in the workshop in Båstad 1929. Märta Måås-Fjetterström in a hat, the art weavers weave one of the two floss rugs Hästhagen to Crown Princess Märtha of Norway. A copy was a gift from the Swedish people, another copy was woven for the Crown Prince and Crown Princess in 1929. Photo: Archive photo from Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB / Kungligaslotten.se – Copyright Kungl. Royal Court
A treasury of patterns
The exhibition on Märta Måås-Fjetterström’s work gives us an insights into the work of the textile artist. Her work processes, from sources of inspiration through to completed rugs, can be seen in her highly detailed sketches.
Märta Måås-Fjetterström invariably painted the sketches for her rugs and weavings in watercolour. These sometimes show the entire rug, but usually depict only a part of the whole – the rest is suggested with a few quick pen or brush strokes.
Read more HERE
Märta Måås-Fjetterström’s watercolor sketch of the rölakandra curtain Perugia, composed by Märta Måås-Fjetterström for Malmö Museum 1928. The curtain will be seen in the exhibition at the Royal Palace 13 October 2019 – 19 April 2020. Photo: Anette Nilsson / Kungligaslotten.se – CopyrightKungl. Hovstaterna / © Photographer Anette Nilsson
The upright. Watercolor by Märta Måås-Fjetterström sketch for floss rugs for M / S Kungsholm 1928. Märta Måås-Fjetterström invariably painted her sketches for rugs and fabrics in watercolor. The carpet from the royal collections can be seen in the exhibition at the Royal Palace 13 October 2019 – 19 April 2020. Photo: Anette Nilsson / Kungligaslotten.se – CopyrightKungl. Hovstaterna / © Photographer Anette Nilsson
The exhibition is being staged in cooperation between the Royal Court and the Fundraising Foundation for the Preservation of Knowledge of Märta Måås-Fjetterström’s Rugs and Weaving.
