Panel
ca. 1725
Medium
tiles
Classification
tiles
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of William Randolph Hearst
Accession Number
1941-76-1-cc
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This elegant tile panel, dating to around 1725, exemplifies the refined decorative arts of the early 18th century. Crafted by an unknown artist, it belongs to the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection of tiles, generously gifted by newspaper magnate and avid collector William Randolph Hearst. As a medium, tiles were prized for their durability and vibrant glazes, often adorning fireplaces, walls, or architectural panels in prosperous homes. In the historical context of colonial America, such panels likely arrived via transatlantic trade routes from European centers like the Netherlands...
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...