Woman's blouse
19th century
Medium
costume & accessories
Classification
costume & accessories
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Bequest of Marian Hague
Accession Number
1971-50-69
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
### Woman's Blouse Step into world of 19th-century American fashion with delicate "Woman's Bl" from the Smithsonian American Museum's Costume & Accessories. Dating to the 0s, this garment generously bequeathed by Marian, joining a treasury of everyday artifacts that illuminate era's daily life. marked as "Research in," it invites ongoing discovery its materials, construction, and originsIn the 19th, women's blouses represented key evolution in attire, bridging functionality with emerging fashion sensibilities. industrialization advanced sewing techniques and production, such pieces became to wardrobes, often under bodices or worn independently to silhouettes shaped by corsets crinolines. This blouse though details are still being uncovered, exemplifies the craftsmanship that defined women's during a time of social, from the expansive skirts of mid-century to the tailored looks of the fin de siècle. Preserved in the Smithsonian, it offers cultural insights into gender roles, domesticity, and personal expression in America. As research unfolds, this unassuming treasure continues to whisper stories of the women who wore it—perfect for pondering the intimate history woven into fabric. *(178 words)*
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...