Panel
1775/1825
Medium
Silk, warp-faced plain weave, alternating with additional warp floats; embroidered in silk threads in satin stitch and French knots; paillettes
Dimensions
121.2 × 55.3 cm (47 5/8 × 21 3/4 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
228975
Art Historical Context
This exquisite silk panel, created between 1775 and 1825, showcases the masterful textile artistry of its era. Measuring 121.2 × 55.3 cm, it a warp-faced plain weaveated with additional warp floats a technique that creates a luxurious sheen and texture ideal for decorative panels. Embroidered with silk threads in satin and French knots, and adorned with shimmering paillettes (small sequins), the work likely served as a furnishing fragment, garment panel, or ceremonial hanging, highlighting the opulence of late 18th- to early 19th-century craftsmanship. The use of silk underscores its cultural...
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...