Bed Hanging c. 19th century

This 19th-century, anonymous "Bed Hanging" is a striking example of blue and white printed cotton textiles. The repeating pattern, featuring figures in a pastoral setting, is reminiscent of early American wallpaper designs. While the artist is unknown, the textile likely reflects the popular taste for decorative motifs and the burgeoning industrialization of the textile industry in the 19th century. This large-scale hanging, found at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, stands as a testament to the decorative arts of the period and the ingenuity of anonymous craftspeople.