Embroidered Fabric for a Man's Waistcoat Front
1780s
Medium
Silk, plain weave; embroidered with silk thread in individual back, outline, running, satin, split and stem stitches; couching; laid work and French knots
Dimensions
104.5 × 55.8 cm (41 1/8 × 22 in.)
Classification
costume
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
102999
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This length of white silk was designed to be cut into a man's waistcoat. European men wore waistcoats, or vests, with jackets and knee breeches. Fashion dictated that the design and color of the waistcoat fabric should contrast with the matching suit. (The back of the waistcoat, which is not included here, was typically made from a cheaper cloth since it was not visible when worn under the jacket.) The layout of the embroidered pattern pieces was planned to save fabric. The embroidery delineate...
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...