Sheet with an overall dot pattern 1775 - 1875

This is a small sheet with an overall dot pattern, an anonymous work now held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The identity of the creator remains a mystery, prompting us to consider the countless contributions of those whose names have been lost to history, particularly women and people of color, who have often been excluded from the art historical canon. Looking at this patterned sheet, it's hard not to think of textiles and their long association with the domestic sphere and female labor. Historically, women have been the primary creators of textiles, using techniques passed down through generations to produce both functional and decorative objects. In many cultures, textile production has also been a vital source of income and economic empowerment for women. The dots, so simple and repetitive, might suggest the monotony of domestic work, but also the potential for creativity and self-expression within those constraints. This sheet resonates with themes of anonymity, domesticity, and the hidden histories of women's work.