Wall Hanging

Currently not on view

Wall Hanging

c. 1710

Artist/maker unknown, Italian

This embroidered textile is part of a set of horizontal and vertical wall panels that likely framed architectural or decorative elements in a room of an Italian palazzo. The rondels feature classical and mythological stories that may have told a progressive narrative once installed. The left rondel illustrates Narcissus being punished for his pride by Nemesis, the goddess of retribution. He pines for the love of his reflection, eventually turning into the yellow narcissus flower seen at his feet. The figures on the right rondel may be Psyche, Cupid’s lover, accompanied by Cupid’s mother, Venus, and Charon, the ferryman of the underworld. Cupid watches from above as Psyche journeys to the underworld to complete a series of tests from Venus, who disapproved of Psyche.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Wall Hanging

Date:

c. 1710

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Italian

Medium:

Linen plain weave with silk, silver, and gilt thread embroidery in laid work; long and short, outline, couched filling, split, encroaching satin, chain, and fishbone stitches, and French knots

Dimensions:

17 inches × 8 feet 3 1/2 inches (43.2 × 252.7 cm)

Classification:

Textiles

Credit Line:

Gift of Philip H. Rosenbach, 1953

Accession Number:

1953-2-10a,b

Geography:

Made in Italy, Europe

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Currently not on view