Panel c. 1720

silk, textile

natural stone pattern

wood texture

abstract painting

water colours

silk

textile

tile art

stoneware

france

wooden texture

watercolour bleed

layered pattern

watercolor

This 18th-century woven silk panel, created by an anonymous artist, features a repeating pattern of stylized floral motifs. The design is symmetrical and balanced, with a central band of flowers surrounded by leafy borders. The use of different shades of green and a subtle, textured weave adds depth and dimension to the panel, making it a beautiful example of 18th-century textile art. The intricate design and delicate colors would have made this panel a luxurious item in its time, likely used as upholstery or decorative wall hanging.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Elaborate silk fabric such as this was very costly to produce. It would have taken at least two highly skilled weavers, using the most sophisticated weaving technology of the period, several days to produce one yard of fabric. It undoubtedly was made as a special order and could have been used for any number of things, ranging from wall covering to men's or women's clothing. It was not until the middle of the 19th century that textiles were designed for specialty markets such as home furnishings or fashion.