Two Fragments (From a Chasuble)
c. 1725/28
Medium
Silk and gilt-metal-strip-wrapped silk, warp-float faced 4:1 satin weave with supplementary brocading and patterning wefts tied by supplementary binding warps in weft-float faced 4:1 and 2:3 twill interlacings
Dimensions
a: 47.3 × 28.4 cm (18 5/8 × 11 1/8 in.); b: 47.6 × 27.9 cm (18 3/4 × 11 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
29796
Art Historical Context
These exquisite *Two Fragments (From a Chasuble)* dating to around 1725–28, offer a glimpse into the opulent world of 18th-century textiles. A chasuble is the ornate outer vestment worn by priests during Catholic Mass, symbolizing charity and serving as a canvas for lavish decoration. Though the artist remains unknown, these silk panels—measuring about 47 cm tall—likely originated from a grand liturgical garment, their survival as fragments highlighting the fragility and reverence for such sacred objects. Crafted in silk and gilt-metal-strip-wrapped silk, the pieces showcase masterful weaving...
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...