Sole of a Clog
16th century
Medium
Leather covered cork
Dimensions
21 × 6.5 × 2 cm (8 1/4 × 2 9/16 × 3/4 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
31012
Art Historical Context
Step into the everyday artistry of the 16th century with the *Sole of a Clog*, a humble yet revealing artifact from the Art Institute of Chicago's Department. Crafted from leather-covered cork, this compact piece measures just 21 × 6.5 × 2 cm, designed for practicality in an era when footwear had to withstand mud, water, and hard labor. The use of cork—a lightweight, buoyant material sourced from Mediterranean trees—paired with durable leather, highlights innovative techniques for weather-resistant soles, common in Northern Europe where clogs were essential for workers and farmers. Though the...
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...