“Stop and admire this mid-century rug sample for its striking geometric design and rich, tactile surface. It's a small but vibrant example of textile artistry, balancing traditional techniques with a modern aesthetic.”
This vibrant square of textile, a "Rug Sample" from 1957, offers a fascinating glimpse into the possibilities of mid-century design. Composed of cotton with wool yarns creating a "hooked" pile, the sample’s surface is a tactile landscape of varying textures and colors. Its geometric pattern, with bold stripes and a central diamond motif, showcases a playful yet structured approach to textile art. The rich, earthy tones of red, brown, and cream, punctuated by an unexpected splash of blue, suggest both traditional craftsmanship and a modern aesthetic. This piece, given to the Art Institute of Chicago by the artist in 1983, transcends its utilitarian purpose as a sample, inviting viewers to appreciate the artistry in its construction and the enduring appeal of its design.
- Artist
- William Hook
- Date
- 1957
- Medium
- Cotton, plain weave with wool yarns forming "hooked" pile
- Location
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Dimensions
- 38.2 × 39.3 cm (15 × 15 1/2 in.)
- Collection
- Textiles
- Culture
- Hong Kong
- Credit line
- Gift of Marianne Strengell Hammarström
What to Notice
Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.
The way the "hooked" pile creates a plush, three-dimensional surface.
The central diamond shape, formed by interlocking geometric sections.
The unexpected bright blue stripe contrasting with the earthy tones.
The subtle variations in yarn thickness and texture across the sample.
1 more detail is waiting.
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William Hook
1829William Hook, born in 1829, is associated with works like 'Alice' and 'A City Park' from the late 19th century.
Further Works by Hook
A City Park
1887 · Art Institute of Chicago
At Mouquin's
1905 · Art Institute of Chicago
Alice
1892 · Art Institute of Chicago
It's a New Age
1992 · Art Institute of Chicago
Women Fighting
1892 · Art Institute of Chicago
Garment Hook
Art Institute of Chicago
Large Hook for a Kettle (Jizaigake)
1875 · Art Institute of Chicago
Maine Landscape
1927 · Art Institute of Chicago
More works to explore
Beyond Hook: works from the same years.
Same era · 1940s–1970s
Greyed Rainbow
Jackson Pollock · 1953 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1940s–1970s
Sun Spot
Yayoi Kusama · 1953 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1940s–1970s
Impregnazione
Piero Manzoni · 1958
Same era · 1940s–1970s
Essai
Sam Francis · 1963 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1940s–1970s
Deux personnages
Pierre Alechinsky · 1950
Same era · 1940s–1970s
Alka Seltzer
Roy Lichtenstein · 1966 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1940s–1970s
Portrait of Mary Block
Ivan Puni · 1955 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1940s–1970s
Woman at the Piano
Philip Evergood · 1955 · Smithsonian American Art Museum
Same era · 1940s–1970s
Nighthawks
Okada Saburosuke · 1942 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1940s–1970s
Flag
Jasper Johns · 1958
Same era · 1940s–1970s
The Banquet
René Magritte · 1958 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1940s–1970s
Nude under a Pine Tree
Pablo Picasso · 1959 · Art Institute of Chicago