Painted Silk
Qing dynasty (1644–1911), 1750–75
Medium
Silk, plain weave; painted
Dimensions
243.5 × 74.3 cm (95 7/8 × 29 1/4 in.); Warp repeat: H.: 69.5 cm (27 3/8 in.)
Classification
weaving
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
76762
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Chinese silk producers catered to a vast network of international consumers. Here, Chinese artisans created a hybrid design that incorporated elements from European woven silks—similar to the one by Anna Maria Garthwaite on display nearby. Chinese painted silks were particularly popular among affluent consumers in North America: Martha Washington, the first First Lady of the United States, owned a gown of Chinese painted silk.
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...