San Blas

Ed Rossbach, San Blas, 1967, cotton and linen, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Lisa and Dudley Anderson, 1994.54
Ed Rossbach, San Blas, 1967, cotton and linen, 72 x 70 in. (182.9 x 177.8 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Lisa and Dudley Anderson, 1994.54

Artwork Details

Title
San Blas
Artist
Date
1967
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
72 x 70 in. (182.9 x 177.8 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Lisa and Dudley Anderson
Mediums
Mediums Description
cotton and linen
Classifications
Subjects
  • Abstract — geometric
  • Object — flower
Object Number
1994.54
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1994.54

Artwork Description

The San Blas Archipelago is a group of around four hundred islands off the coast of Panama. The islands are famous for molas, the traditional dress worn by the women of the Kuna Indian tribe. Ed Rossbach was inspired by the vivid colors and elaborate designs used by the Kuna women, and wove San Blas to evoke these native garments. The piece combines brightly colored lines, curves, and flowers to form a cheerful composition, calling to mind the tropical culture of the islands of Panama.

Works by this artist (13 items)

View all artworks
Ed Rossbach, Croissants, ca. 1987, cartons, block print, and staples, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Enid Barden, 2017.38.2
Croissants
Artist
Dateca. 1987
cartons, block print, and staples
Not on view
Ed Rossbach, Tribe of Baskets, 1970, polyethylene, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1992.46B
Tribe of Baskets
Artist
Date1970
polyethylene
Not on view
Ed Rossbach, Tribe of Baskets, 1970, polyethylene, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1992.46A
Tribe of Baskets
Artist
Date1970
polyethylene
Not on view
Ed Rossbach, Tribe of Baskets, 1970, polyethylene, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1992.46E
Tribe of Baskets
Artist
Date1970
polyethylene
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

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Renie Breskin Adams, Fear, Laughter and the Unknown, 1978, cotton and linen embroidery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Council of American Embroiderers on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the Renwick Gallery, 1996.40, ©1978, Renie Breskin Adams
Fear, Laughter and the Unknown
Artist
Date1978
cotton and linen embroidery
Not on view
Helena Hernmarck, Theatre Tickets, 1994, woven wool, linen, and cotton, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance, 1998.37, © 1994, Helena Hernmarck
Theatre Tickets
Artist
Date1994
woven wool, linen, and cotton
Not on view
Mariska Karasz, Skeins, ca. 1950, linen, cotton, and wool, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance and museum purchase through the Smithsonian Institution Collections Acquisition Program, 1992.117, © 1952, F. Schumacher and Co.
Skeins
Artist
Dateca. 1950
linen, cotton, and wool
Not on view
Cynthia Schira, Reflections, 1982, woven and bound resist-dyed cotton and dyed rayon, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible in part by the James Renwick Alliance and Roberta Golding, 1985.29A-D
Reflections
Artist
Date1982
woven and bound resist-dyed cotton and dyed rayon
Not on view