Minneapolis Institute of Art

Panel

Italy (Genoa)

Date

18th century

Medium

Silk, cut and uncut voided velvet

Department

European Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

It was the Italians in the 14th and 15th centuries who developed velvet weaving to the level of an art form. Technological advances, which enabled manipulation of individual pile threads, gave designers tremendous freedom to exploit the rich texture. Velvets, such as this panel which was made in Genoa, were used for everything from men's dress suits and women's ball gowns to wall coverings and upholstery fabric. Italy maintained leadership in the production area of heavy, rich opulent velvets for hundreds of years. Europe

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