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English

The Triumph of Fame

ca. 1502–4
Not on view
Based in part on Petrarch’s poem I Trionfi (The Triumphs), this tapestry belonged to a set of six representing the consecutive triumphs of Love, of Chastity over Love, of Death over Chastity, of Fame over Death, of Time over Fame, and of Religion over Time. Here Fame reads at a lectern, surrounded by writers whose works immortalized the deeds of the ancients. Triumphant over Death, she tramples the Fates and holds an orb crowned with a cross, locating the subject in a distinctly Christian context. This tapestry, or one identical to it, was purchased by Isabella, Queen of Castile and Aragon in 1504. It remains extraordinary for its condition, color and harmonious composition.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Triumph of Fame
  • Date: ca. 1502–4
  • Culture: Netherlandish, probably Brussels
  • Medium: Wool, silk (6-7 warp threads per cm.)
  • Dimensions: Overall: 141 1/2 x 132 in. (359.4 x 335.3 cm)
  • Classification: Textiles-Tapestries
  • Credit Line: Purchase, The Annenberg Foundation Gift, 1998
  • Object Number: 1998.205
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Aglauros’s Vision of the Bridal Chamber of Herse, from the Story of Mercury and Herse, Giovanni Battista Lodi da Cremona Italian, Wool, silk and precious metal-wrapped threads (20-22 warps per inch, 8-9 warps per cm.), Netherlandish, Brussels
Aglauros’s Vision of the Bridal Chamber of Herse, from the Story of Mercury and Herse
Multiple artists/makers
designed ca. 1540, woven ca. 1570
Mercury Changes Aglauros to Stone, from the Story of Mercury and Herse, Giovanni Battista Lodi da Cremona Italian, Wool, silk and precious metal-wrapped threads (20-22 warps per inch, 8-9 warps per cm.), Netherlandish, Brussels
Mercury Changes Aglauros to Stone, from the Story of Mercury and Herse
Multiple artists/makers
designed ca. 1540, woven ca. 1570
Panel with grotesques, from a set of bed hangings, Cornelis Floris II Netherlandish, Silk, wool, silver and silver-gilt thread (20-22 warps per inch, 8-9 per cm.), Netherlandish, Brussels
Panel with grotesques, from a set of bed hangings
Cornelis Floris II
ca. 1550–60
Panel with grotesques, from a set of bed hangings, Cornelis Floris II Netherlandish, Silk, wool, silver and silver-gilt thread (20-22 warps per inch, 8-9 per cm.), Netherlandish, Brussels
Panel with grotesques, from a set of bed hangings
Cornelis Floris II
ca. 1550–60
August from a set of Medallion Months, Bernard van Orley Netherlandish, Wool, silk (20 warps per inch, 8 per cm.), Netherlandish, Brussels
August from a set of Medallion Months
Bernard van Orley
ca. 1525–28

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