Panel
18th century
Medium
plain compound satin, silk and gilt paper; wound on cotton core.
Dimensions
25.1 × 44.4 cm (9 7/8 × 17 1/2 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
88553
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 18th-century textile panel, measuring 25.1 × 44.4 cm, exemplifies the luxurious craftsmanship of its era. Woven in a plain compound satin structure from silk yarns combined with gilt paper wound around a cotton core, it creates a shimmering, reflective surface that catches the light with metallic elegance. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Textiles Department, this anonymous work invites visitors to appreciate the delicate interplay of materials in historical fabric production. The compound satin weave, a sophisticated technique, allowed weavers to produce a smooth, lust...
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...