Museum Exhibition
Batik Textiles of Java
Art Institute of Chicago
April 21, 2017 – September 17, 2017
This presentation explores the richly patterned wax-resist textiles known as batiks, their flourishing in the Indonesian island of Java, and their many inspirations and functions.
Exhibition artworks
Representative work
Central Java, Indonesia
Headcloth (Iket Kepala)
Late 19th century
Cotton, plain weave; hand-drawn wax resist dyed (batik tulis)
105.5 × 106.4 cm (41 1/2 × 41 7/8 in.)
View artwork at the museumFeatured works
Indonesia, Central Java
Ceremonial Hip Wrapper (Dodot)
Late 19th century
Cotton, plain weave; hand-drawn wax resist dyed (batik tulis); two panels joined
345.1 × 209.6 cm (135 5/8 × 82 1/2 in.)
View at museum
Indonesia, Central Java
Headcloth (Iket Kepala)
Late 19th century
Cotton, plain weave; hand-drawn wax resist dyed (batik tulis)
106.8 × 106.5 cm (42 × 42 in.)
View at museum
Indonesia, Central Java
Shoulder Cloth (Selendang)
Late 19th century
Cotton, plain weave; hand-drawn wax resist dyed (batik tulis)
256.6 × 52 cm (101 × 20 1/2 in.)
View at museum
Indonesia, Central Java
Headcloth (Iket Kepala)
Late 19th century
Cotton, plain weave; hand-drawn wax resist dyed (batik tulis)
106.7 × 107.4 cm (42 × 42 1/4 in.)
View at museum
Indonesia, Java, North Coast, Pekalongan
Tubular Skirt (Sarong)
c. 1900
Cotton, plain weave; hand-drawn wax resist dyed (batik tulis)
213.4 × 107 cm (84 × 42 1/8 in.)
View at museum
Indonesia, North Coast, Java, Lasem
Hip Wrapper (Kain Panjang)
1900/25
Cotton, plain weave; hand-drawn wax resist dyed (batik tulis)
261 × 107 cm (102 3/4 × 42 1/8 in.)
View at museum7 documented works in this exhibition
View all 7 documented works