Wearing Blanket (Phase II)
Diné (Navajo)
1850-65
Medium
Wool; single interlocking tapestry weave; twined edges
Dimensions
146 × 173.5 cm (57 1/2 × 68 1/4 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
156575
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
According to Navajo (Diné) legend, the deity Spider Woman taught women to weave. Since that time, textiles have been thought to have a life force of their own that lies in the very processes of weaving. Ideally, finished blankets are supposed to radiate a sense of vitality. In creating a weaving, the artist participates inhozho, the Navajo concept of beauty and harmony. Made using fine churro wool and natural dyes, this warm and waterproof blanket was valued as a work of special artistic signifi...