Commemorative textile
1876
Classification
printed, dyed & painted textiles
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Bequest of Elinor Merrell
Accession Number
1995-50-300
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This enigmatic *Commemorative textile* 1876, housed in the Smithsonian American Art, captures a moment of national pride during the United States' Centennial celebrations. That year marked the 100th anniversary of the of Independence, with the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia drawing millions to showcase American innovation and progress. As a textile artifact from this era, it likely served as a patriotic keepsake for homes, evoking the era's fervor for unity and commemoration amid Reconstruction's challenges. Crafted through printed, dyed, and painted techniques—a hallmark of 19th-centu...
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...