Fragments
Medium
Silk, plain weave; embroidered in stem, herringbone, plaiting, and Holbein stitches
Dimensions
47.6 × 76.2 cm (18 3/4 × 30 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
28995
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Textiles Department of the Art Institute of, *Fragments* captivates with its delicate beauty, measuring 47.6 × 76.2 cm. This exquisite silk plain weave textile, likely remnants of a larger work such as a garment panel or furnishing, showcases the anonymous artisan's mastery. The plain weave provides a smooth, lustrous canvas ideal for intricate embroidery, highlighting silk's prized status in historical textile production for its sheen and durability. What truly distinguishes *Fragments* are the sophisticated embroidery stitches: stem for fluid outlines, herringbone for its zig...
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...