Vintage Scandinavian Verner Panton “Gradient” Textile, Country Of Origin: Scandinavia, Circa Date: Mid 20th Century – This earthy gradient brown textile is a classic by the iconic midcentury artist, Verner Panton. This pattern is from his 1969 series called “Stripe II.” Verner Panton is known for his textiles that have a three-dimensional effect. The work of Panton defined 1960s and 1970s interior design to the extent that an era was named for him.
The Panton Era was characterized by streamlined furniture in “mod” shapes and pop colors. Some credit Panton with coining the term “groovy.” Regardless of whether he is actually responsible for term, his work redefined many widely held design principles of the time.
He used color to accentuate form and geometric shape within his designs. His work typically produced entire sets that included every piece, including the furniture, lamps, wall art, table sculptures, carpets, and drapes. A piece of textile such as this one would be used to create floor to ceiling curtains in a Panton ensemble.
Panton cleverly used color to accentuate form. This piece appears to be two rounded columns, rather than a flat piece of cloth. This effect is based on the principle that darker colors tend to look farther away. This same technique led the way to graphic design techniques that are still used in modern 3D art and animation.
This piece would make the perfect addition to a contemporary space in neutrals and earthy browns. It adds depth and dimension to the room. The browns used to create this piece are warm and will bring this feeling into the room. Panton is known for using light and saturation to create the optical illusion that gives his pieces a sculptural effect.
Of course, this piece is an essential for the Panton Era collector or for a retro-inspired space. In the early 2000s, Panton’s pieces experienced a renewed interest among designers. This is the perfect piece for adding depth and dimension to a modern, minimalist space. This is a generous piece of textile from an iconic midcentury designer.