Love and friendship
1800â1825
Medium
printed, dyed & painted textiles
Classification
printed, dyed & painted textiles
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Bequest of Elinor Merrell
Accession Number
1995-50-189
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**Love and Friendship** Unknown artist, 1800–1825* *Printed, dyed & painted* *Smithsonian American Art Museum* Step into the early 19th century with *Love and Friendship*, a textile from the Smithsonian American Museum's collection. Created between 1800 and 1825 during America's formative years after independence, this piece reflects the era's growing emphasis on domestic comforts and personal sentiments. Textiles like this were cherished household treasures, often adorning beds, walls, or furniture, blending functionality with heartfelt expression. Bequeathed by Elinor Merrell, it no...
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...