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 one on the left illustrates a pivotal scene from Homer’s Iliad, the flight of Helen and the Trojan prince Paris from the court of Helen’s husband, King Menelaus of Sparta. Helen’s departure sparked the Trojan War and led to the death of her beloved Paris in the ensuing battle. In the rondel on the right, Zeus, the father of the Greek gods, takes the form of a bull to abduct Europa, daughter of King Agenor of Tyre.

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 2 1/2 inches (43.2 × 250.2 cm)

Classification:

Textiles

Credit Line:

Gift of Philip H. Rosenbach, 1953

Accession Number:

1953-2-9

Geography:

Made in Italy, Europe

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Currently not on view