Fragment
1000-1476
Medium
Cotton and wool (camelid), slit tapestry weave with eccentric wefts
Dimensions
57.4 × 57.2 cm (22 5/8 × 22 1/2 in.)
Classification
weaving
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
150574
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The theme of fish is often found in works of art made by the diverse peoples of ancient Peru. Numerous costal cultures embraced marine life, especially the abundance it provided as a primary source of food. In addition, the ocean was associated with the sacred underworld, with many aquatic animals serving as both predator—such as the killer whale—and prey. The centrality of the ocean is clearly expressed by this textile fragment displaying a school of fish. Rows of colorful abstract fish motifs ...
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...