Pillow c. 1900

This embroidered pillow, now housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, was made by an anonymous artist. In the absence of a known creator, this piece invites us to consider the many hands and untold stories behind domestic artistry. The geometric patterns, rendered in delicate stitches, speak to a tradition of women's work often overlooked in mainstream art history. Historically, such crafts were relegated to the domestic sphere, seen as expressions of femininity and markers of class. Yet, these were also spaces where women could assert creativity, express cultural identity, and perhaps even subvert societal expectations. The intimate scale of the pillow invites a personal connection. Imagine the care taken in each stitch, the quiet moments of contemplation, and the potential for this object to serve as both functional item and repository of personal history. Consider the cultural narratives embedded within its design. Let this pillow prompt us to reflect on the complex relationships between art, labor, gender, and the myriad ways in which identity is woven into the fabric of our everyday lives.