Border
1575/1625
Medium
Linen, square netting; embroidered with linen in cloth stitches; edged with linen in chained loops
Dimensions
25.1 × 138.8 cm (9 7/8 × 54 5/8 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
122136
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Border* from the Art Institute of Chicago, dating to between 1575 and 1625, exemplifies the refined needlework of the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. Crafted from linen square netting—a technique known as filets or lacis—this long, narrow strip (25.1 × 138.8 cm) measures just under 10 inches high but stretches over 4.5 feet, suggesting its use as a decorative edging for garments, altar linens, or household furnishings. The anonymous maker's skill shines through the embroidered linen in precise cloth stitches, creating intricate patterns over the open net ground, fin...
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...