Book cover with overall purple stripe pattern 1800 - 1900

This is an anonymous book cover with an overall purple stripe pattern held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. With no known artist and no creation date, this artwork exists as an intriguing artifact. The stripes might evoke textiles, prison uniforms, or musical scores, prompting us to consider themes of confinement, labor, and expression. The anonymity of the artist raises questions about authorship, class, and gender. Was this work made by a woman, whose artistic contributions have historically been overlooked? Was it made by someone from a lower social class, for whom art was a practical rather than an expressive endeavor? Perhaps the artist chose anonymity, or perhaps their identity has been erased by history. Consider how something as simple as stripes can carry so much emotional and cultural weight. The lack of identifying information invites us to project our own experiences and histories onto the artwork. In doing so, this simple book cover becomes a mirror reflecting back at us.