Panel
Medium
Silk, warp-float faced 7:1 satin weave; embroidered with silk in back, chain, open chain, four-sided, Holbein, Maltese cross, Roumanian, and raised Roumanian stitches; embellished with pieces of mirror; some selvages present
Dimensions
22.7 × 19.8 cm (8 7/8 × 7 3/4 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
180894
Art Historical Context
This exquisite silk panel, measuring a modest 22.7 × 19.8 cm, showcases the masterful artistry of an unknown embroiderer. Woven in a warp-float faced 71 satin weave—a technique produces a lustrous, smooth ideal for highlighting intricate designs—the textile gleams with embroidery threads worked in an array of specialized: back, chain, open chain, four-sided Holbein, Maltese cross Roumanian, and Roumanian. These methods, often seen in folk embroidery, create textured patterns with depth and rhythm demonstrating exceptional technical precision. What elev this panel further are the pieces of mir...
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...