Panel from a Skirt
18th century
Medium
Silk, plain weave; warp-painted (chiné)
Dimensions
116.8 × 62.5 cm (46 × 24 5/8 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
69417
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Panel from a Skirt dating to the 18th, showcases the opulent textile artistry of the Enlightenment era. Crafted from silk plain weave with warp-painting—a technique known as *chiné*—it measures 116.8 × 62.5 cm, forming part of a larger garment likely worn by European fashion elites. *Chiné* involved printing designs directly onto the warp yarns before weaving, creating a soft, blurred effect with vibrant floral or pastoral motifs that mimicked expensive Indian chintz but used local silk for affordability and luxury. In the 18th century, such panels were integral to voluminous ...
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...