Pocket Designs for Men's Embroidered Waistcoats
1770–1810
Medium
Opaque watercolor and graphite with pen and brown ink on cream laid paper
Dimensions
17.5 × 18.3 cm (6 7/8 × 7 1/4 in.)
Classification
design
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
30394
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
In the 18th century designs for textiles were often drawn by professionals trained in floral painting. Designs for waistcoats usually show the lower edge of the garment from the pocket to the hem, indicating to both embroiderer and client all of the motifs included in the pattern. This drawing is inscribed with number 654. Such numbers helped the merchant and makers identify patterns and prices when a client selected a pattern.
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...