Wall facing
ca. 1725
Classification
tiles
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of William Randolph Hearst
Accession Number
1926-43-5-534
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
### Wall Facing, ca. 1725 This intriguing "Wall Facing" from around 1725 consists of tiles, a medium prized in the early 18th century for its durability and decorative appeal. Likely used to adorn fireplaces, chimneypieces, or interior, such tile assemblages transformed utilitarian spaces into artistic focal points. Though the exact medium details and artist remain unknown—reflecting ongoing research—the piece evokes the craftsmanship of the colonial era, when imported European tiles, often in blue-and-white Delft styles, blended with emerging American tastes. Housed in the Smithsonian Ameri...
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...