Man's Sarape (Wearing Blanket)
1800–50
Medium
Cotton and wool, slit and single dovetail tapestry weave; edged with cotton, knotted fringe
Dimensions
Overall, with fringe: 232.4 × 111.1 cm (91 1/2 × 43 3/4 in.); Overall, without fringe: 197.5 × 111.1 cm (77 3/4 × 43 3/4 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
20210
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Produced in northern Mexico using a combination of Indigenous and foreign weaving materials and techniques, the man’s wearing blanket—also known as a sarape—was a highly valued and versatile garment. Wrapped around the body like a shawl or folded and draped over one shoulder, sarapes were also used as blankets and provided protection from the weather. Made with native, undyed, hand-spun cotton and dyed churro wool from imported sheep, sarapes are soft, light, strong, and warm. With their bold de...
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...