Cover (?)
19th century
Medium
Towel, embroidered in design of boats, towers and bridges
Dimensions
167.7 × 54 cm (66 × 21 1/4 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
71555
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 19th-century embroidered towel, tentatively titled *Cover*, invites visitors to appreciate the artistry hidden in everyday textiles. Measuring an impressive 167.7 × 54 cm (66 × 21¼ in.), it features a vibrant design of boats gliding alongside towers and bridges, evoking a serene riverside scene. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Textiles Department, this piece exemplifies how functional objects could double as personal masterpieces, crafted by an unknown artisan whose skill transformed a simple towel into a visual narrative. Embroidered textiles like this one were a hall...
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...