Valance
ca. 1790
Medium
printed, dyed & painted textiles
Classification
printed, dyed & painted textiles
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Accession Number
1952-80-10
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This elegant valance, dating to around 1790, is a fine example of late 18th-century American from the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection. Valances were decorative hangings draped over bedposts, windows or hearths in colonial homes, adding color and pattern to everyday spaces. Crafted by an unknown artist, this piece reflects the skilled domestic arts of the early American republic, where homemakers and artisans transformed fabric into personalized statements of style and comfort. The medium—printed, dyed, and painted textiles—highlights innovative techniques of the era. Printing inv...
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...