Textile

Unknown

ca. 1835

Textile by Unknown

Medium

printed, dyed & painted textiles

Classification

printed, dyed & painted textiles

Department

Smithsonian Collection

Museum

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Credit

Gift of Harold M. Bailey

Accession Number

1960-79-32-a,b

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

This vibrant *Textile* from around 1835 exemplifies the craftsmanship of early 19th-century American fabric production. Created during the antebellum era, when textiles were essential for clothing, home furnishings, and trade, it reflects a time of growing industrialization in the U.S., blending handmade artistry with emerging printing technologies. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Smithsonian Collection, this piece was generously gifted by Harold M., highlighting its value as a preserved artifact of everyday material culture. The medium—printed, dyed, and painted textiles—show...

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...

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