Detail: Textiles are and have been a defining force in India’s culture and history,so much so that in ancient Greece and Babylon, “India” was shorthand for “cotton.”The Fabric of India, The Ringling’s first major exhibition of Indian art, will showcase the variety, technical sophistication and adaptability of Indian textiles from the 15th to the 21st century.

The Fabric of India, on view July 7-Oct. 13, 2019, will feature more than 140 examples drawn from the internationally-renowned holdings of London’s Victoria & Albert Museum and international partners. Historical dress, carefully preserved fabrics and cutting-edge current fashion will be displayed, giving visitors an opportunity to explore not just the superior craftsmanship of the textiles, but the story they tell about the social, economic and political exchanges that drove their creation and consumption.