Panel c. 1735

This textile panel, of unknown origin and date, is woven with a dense pattern of flowers and architectural vignettes. It was likely made using a drawloom, a complex piece of technology that allowed for the creation of highly patterned textiles like this one. The material itself, likely silk or a blend of fibers, dictated the visual outcome; its inherent sheen and ability to hold dye contribute to the fabric's rich, vibrant appearance. Each color you see here would have required a separate weft thread, and a highly skilled weaver to manipulate the loom. Consider the labor involved in producing such a piece. While the drawloom was a technological advancement, it still required significant human input. The creation of this panel reflects broader social issues of labor, skill, and the economics of textile production. Appreciating the work behind it challenges the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft.