Maria Kipp and Maria Kipp, Inc.
Woven Textile
1939-1949
Scroll
Physical Qualities
Cotton, cotton chenille, linen, rayon, metallic threads, 52-1/4 x 51 in. (132.8 x 129.6 cm.)
Credit Line
Purchase with exchange funds from Gift of C. Livinia Bamberger, Gift of Mrs. Ceasar Cone, Gift of Mrs. Seymour Mandelbaum, Bequest of Margaret D. Morriss, and Gift of Judge Irwin Untermyer
Object Number
1999.158
Maria Kipp’s handwoven textile mimics the muted tones of a hazy California desert or sunset. After graduating as the first woman from Germany’s State Academy for Textile Industry, Kipp moved to California in 1924 and founded Maria Kipp, Inc., which specialized in minimalist designs woven on handlooms (see image). A staunch advocate for racial and gender equality, Kipp was also a working mother and champion for women’s rights in the workplace.
Baltimore Museum of Art by purchase, 1999; Giles Kotcher, USA; Maria Kipp (1900-1988), California, USA.
American Modernism Reinstallation
Inscribed: The textile has a paper label stapled to it that reads: Front: 'Maria Kipp(signature)/Los Angeles, California' Back: 'D/9431-7469/1-1/2 yard/EI99'.
