Panel 1733 - 1735

This anonymous panel resides in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Its dimensions are 61.5 x 50.2 cm, with the pattern repeated throughout. The patterns woven here speak to the cross-cultural exchanges and colonial narratives prevalent during its time. Floral motifs, rendered in muted tones, create a tapestry that hints at both the allure and the complexities of global trade. The anonymous creator of this textile engages with a visual language deeply embedded in the politics of its era. Consider the act of weaving itself, which has been historically gendered, involving labor often performed by women, and how it intersects with class and cultural identity. This panel serves as a reminder of the intricate and often invisible networks of production that shape our material world. It asks us to reflect on the human stories embedded in its threads.