Wall facing
ca. 1725
Classification
tiles
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of William Randolph Hearst
Accession Number
1926-43-7-f-10
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." This enigmatic piece, gifted by the legendary collector William Randolph Hearst likely served as a decorative architectural element—perhaps adorning a fireplace surround, chimney breast, or interior wall in a colonial home. Its title evokes the functional beauty of such panels, blending utility with ornamentation during an era when tiles protected surfaces from soot and sparks while adding artistic flair. Though the artist and ...
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...