Rug 1900

This stunning rug, now at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, was created by an anonymous artist. The rug’s origins are steeped in rich cultural traditions where the act of weaving is both labor and language. Passed down through generations, this knowledge is imbued with meaning. The rug isn’t simply an object; it’s a testament to the maker's identity, skill, and cultural heritage. Rugs like this would have been commissioned, and acquired great value over generations. It served as a signifier of social status and belonging. The motifs woven into its fabric – the geometric patterns, and floral designs – serve as a visual tapestry of cultural symbols. Each color, each knot, tells a story of community, resilience, and perhaps also resistance. The rug invites us to consider the countless hands that labored over its creation, and the lives and stories woven into every inch.