Wall facing
ca. 1725
Classification
tiles
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of William Randolph Hearst
Accession Number
1926-43-5-191
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection *Wall Facing* (ca. 1725) is a captivating example of early 18th-century tile, classified simply as "tiles" with its medium still under study. This architectural fragment, likely a decorative panel or facing for interior walls, evokes the colonial era's blend of functionality and ornamentation. Donated by the legendary collector William Randolph Hearst, whose vast acquisitions enriched American museums, it hints at the opulence of period homes where such tiles adorned fireplaces, chimneys, or wainscoting. Though the artist remains unk...
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...