The Village Marriage
ca. 1820
Medium
printed, dyed & painted textiles
Classification
printed, dyed & painted textiles
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Bequest of Elinor Merrell
Accession Number
1995-50-205
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**The Village Marriage** (ca. 1820) is a captivating example of early 19th American textile art, created by an unknown artist and now housed in the Smithsonian American Museum. This printed, dyed, and painted depicts a joyful rural wedding scene, offering a glimpse into the everyday celebrations of village life during a time when America was rapidly expanding westward and embracing its folk traditions. As part of the Smithsonian Collection, gifted through the bequest of Elinor Mer, it highlights the artistry found in domestic objects that brought stories to life on fabric. The medium—printed,...
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...