Italy, Venice

The designation "Italy, Venice" refers to a prolific center of textile production active across a broad chronological span, documented between 1401 and 1675. This extensive operational period suggests sustained high-level weaving and design expertise originating from workshops within the Republic of Venice.

The known artistic output is concentrated exclusively in textiles, represented by fifteen examples held in museum collections. These historic high-quality fabrics demonstrate the sophisticated techniques and materials used for both ceremonial and domestic purposes during the late Medieval, Renaissance, and early modern periods.

Crucial examples of these Venetian textiles are preserved in the Art Institute of Chicago. The catalogued works illustrate the variety of surviving forms and uses, including objects described simply as Fragment, specific items such as Fragment (Dress Fabric), and larger structural pieces titled Strip and Panel. The remaining fragments offer vital evidence of patterns and material science from the era. Given the age and public availability of these materials, scholars frequently access digital documentation, making this history accessible today as downloadable artwork.