Bedcover
c. 1830
Medium
Cotton, plain weave; stenciled and painted
Dimensions
244.9 × 212.2 cm (96 × 83 5/8 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
82408
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
During the early 19th century, a young woman’s education included such activities as painting (considered a craft rather than an art when executed by a woman). This bedcover utilizes the type of stenciling found in furniture and theorem painting of the period. The lightweight cotton fabric indicates that the textile would have only been used during the summer months.
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...