Stomacher
late 17th or early 18th century
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchase; General Funds
Accession Number
1984-106-1
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the elegant world of 17th- and 18th-century fashion this intriguing *Stomacher*, a decorative triangular panel from the late 17th or early 18th century. Worn by women over the bodice of a gown, it filled the V-shaped opening at the chest, serving both as a modesty piece and a canvas for opulent display. Part of the Smithsonian American Art's costume and accessories collection, this artifact the artistry of period attire, acquired through general funds to preserve slices of everyday splendor. Dating to a time when European Baroque styles influenced colonial America, the stomacher ref...
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...