Salesman's Sample
1780-1810
Medium
Silk, plain weave with supplementary patterning warps, supplementary patterning wefts, and two color supplementary pile warps forming cut solid velvet; appliquéd with linen, knotted netting; embroidered with silk floss and yarns in outline, satin, padded satin, single satin and stem stitches; couching and French knots
Dimensions
29.2 × 19.3 cm (11 1/2 × 7 5/8 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
92799
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The survival of thousands of small embroidery samples for men’s suits and coats indicates the scope and scale of the Lyonnaise embroidery workshops specializing in men’s fashion. Patterns were marketed both domestically in France and throughout Europe. Indeed, French taste so dominated European fashion that when foreign diplomats came to France, they felt obliged to buy the latest styles in Paris before they appeared at court.
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...