Chef de piece
1790â99
Classification
printed, dyed & painted textiles
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Cora Ginsburg
Accession Number
1994-80-36
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
"Chef de pièce" by Robert H.et, created between 1790 and 1799, us into the vibrant world of late18th-century textiles. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum as part of the Smithsonian Collection, this artwork was generously gifted by textile collector Cora Ginsburg. as a printed, dyed, and painted, its medium reflects the sophisticated handcraft techniques of the era, where fabrics were not just functional but artistic expressions of color, pattern, and innovation. The title "Chef de pièce"—French for "head of the piece"—typically denotes a master sample or strike-off in textile produ...