"Amish Plain" Quilt
c. 1890
Medium
Cotton, plain weaves; pieced; backed with cotton, plain weave; cotton batting; quilted with cotton thread
Dimensions
217.1 × 172.8 cm (85 1/2 × 68 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
158424
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Textiles Department of the Art Institute of, the "Amish Plain" Quilt (c. 1890) exemplifies the understated elegance of Amish folk art. Measuring an impressive 217.1 × 172.8 cm (85½ × 68 in.), large bedcovering was crafted anonymously, as was traditional in Amish communities where individual authorship took a backseat to communal utility and humility. Dating to the late 19th century, it reflects the Amish settlers' life in rural America, particularly in Pennsylvania or the Midwest, where quilting served both practical warmth and subtle artistic expression amid their plain-living ...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...