Dyes and Dyeing

Project No.: LU-BA-ZG-2024/1-0007

Implementation period: 01.09.2024.–28.02.2026.

Project costs: EUR 68 961.00

Project leader: Dr. hist. Anete Karlsone

In the history of clothing and textiles, the discovery and introduction of the 19th-century global chemical discovery of synthetic aniline dyes was a significant process. However, this process has not been studied in detail in Latvia until now. In the project, based on the research of written sources, the results of dyeing experiments, and chemical analyses of historical textile samples, new knowledge will be gained about the history of clothing, as well as about the introduction of chemical achievements into society's use in Latvia in the 19th century, reflecting processes in Europe. The implementation of the project will contribute to the general study of the history of clothing, which will allow a better understanding of the processes taking place in society both in ancient times and today. Clothing and the technologies used for its production, including dyeing, reflect the value system, way of thinking, openness to novelties, or, on the contrary, the conservatism of views existing in society in different periods and provide evidence of the directions of information flows.

The goal of the interdisciplinary project, which combines humanities and art sciences with natural science research methods, is to promote public understanding of information flow and technology change processes in the dyeing of textiles and other materials in Latvia in the 19th century, providing new knowledge about traditional cultural heritage and industrial history.

The research results carried out in the project will be made public both through internationally available scientific publications (conference theses, reports, scientific articles), by preparing a monograph, and by organizing dyeing workshops.