Panel of Wool Furnishing Damask
1740-80
Medium
Wool
Dimensions
278.1 × 65.4 cm (109 1/2 × 25 3/4 in.)
Classification
weaving
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
256787
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Damask is a weave structure in which the contrast of textures reveals the design woven into the fabric. Damask made of shiny silk is still used today for upholstery in formal interiors. Wool damask is less common today, but in the 18th century it was also used as an upholstery fabric for expensive furniture, particularly in England and America. The city of Norwich was an important center for wool weaving, and was known for the vivid colors that local dyers achieved, like the cherry red of this e...
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...