Death of General Washington (Handkerchief)
1799/1800
Dimensions
53.3 × 48.3 cm (21 × 19 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
77887
Art Historical Context
This poignant textile, titled *Death of General Washington (kerchief)*, captures a moment of profound national grief. Created in 17991800, shortly after George Washington's death on December , 1799, it commemorates the passing of America's first president and Revolutionary War hero. At 53.3 × 48.3 cm (21 × 19 in.), its handkerchief format made it a portable, personal emblem of mourning likely carried by citizens during funerals, memorials, or everyday reflection. As a textile from the Art Institute of Chicago's Textiles Department, this unknown work exemplifies early American print culture. H...
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...