Sampler
1795
Medium
Linen, plain weave; cutwork embroidered with linen in needle lace filling stitches; cut and drawn work embroidered with silk and linen in buttonhole, cross, darning and single satin stitches; and embroidered with silk in buttonhole, chain and satin stitches
Dimensions
42 × 28.4 cm (16 1/2 × 11 1/2 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
55990
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This sampler is a variation of a distinctive type that includes white work (also known as Dresden work) and is specifically associated with Philadelphia. Colored silk threads can also be found in several other known examples, all of which were probably made under the direction of a single teacher who has yet to be identified.
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...