The complex legacy of linen, from ancient royalty to modern runways
In short: Explore how a single fabric has functioned as a symbol of prestige, a tool of colonial exploitation, and a staple of Victorian life through the collections of The Met.
This episode traces the multifaceted history of linen, examining its role as a marker of authority and wealth across millennia. The narrative moves from 3,500-year-old Egyptian funerary textiles to the high-fashion Armani suits of the 1980s.
Beyond luxury, the discussion uncovers the darker side of the textile's history, specifically its connection to the exploitation of enslaved populations in the American South, as well as its presence in the domestic and industrial landscapes of the Victorian era.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Linen | Immaterial | Season 1, Episode 2 #podcast
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