Design for an Embroidered Waistcoat Pocket
1780-90
Medium
Opaque and translucent watercolor with graphite on green laid paper
Dimensions
25.2 × 41.9 cm (10 × 16 1/2 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
103008
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
In the 18th century designs for textiles were often drawn by professionals trained in floral painting. Designs for waistcoats usually show the lower edge of the garment from the pocket to the hem, indicating to both embroiderer and client all of the motifs included in the pattern. Some drawings are inscribed with numbers. Such numbers helped the merchant and makers identify patterns and prices when a client selected a pattern.
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...