A Taste for the Local

The artist, designer, and pedagogue Elena Izcue (1889–1970) was a pioneer in the field of Peruvian decorative arts among first to take inspiration from pre-Hispanic motifs. Relying on those motifs, she designed an impressive collection textiles for famed House Worth Paris during 1930s, which owes her international reputation. That can be considered high point career; yet it nonetheless marked retreat far more ambitious project that undertook before departure Peru 1927. This article aims reconstruct project. I argue Izcue’s chief objective bring appreciation pre-Columbian themes motifs out realm public monumentality into domestic consumption. sought, other words, produce objects might furnish homes rising class modest, urban, white-collar workers with both “national” designs domestically produced materials. After analyzing approach sources as well relatively limited opportunities had present vision, discuss prevailing social attitudes prevented being fully legible intended audience. In article’s concluding section, assess significance aesthetic recuperation past against backdrop official contestatory indigenisms rose prominence twenties.