Fragment
1575/1600
Medium
Silk, warp-float faced satin weave with supplementary pile warps forming uncut and voided velvet; outlined by gilt-metal-strip-wrapped silk in running and couching stitches
Dimensions
37.5 × 12.4 cm (14 3/4 × 4 7/8 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
62151
Art Historical Context
This exquisite silk textile fragment, dating to between 1575 and 1600, offers a glimpse into the opulent world of Renaissance-era luxury fabrics. Though its artist remains unknown, the piece exemplifies the pinnacle of late 16th-century weaving and embroidery techniques, likely originating from a larger garment, ecclesiastical vestment, or decorative panel Measuring just 37.5 × 12.4 cm, its small scale belies the grandeur of its design, preserved in the Art Institute of's Textiles Department. Crafted in a warp-float faced satin weave, the fabric features supplementary pile warps that create u...
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...