ticketsMember | Make a donation

Saint Martin Announcing to His Parents That He Will Become a Christian

1430–35
Not on view
This roundel, together with three others in the Lehman Collection (1975.1.1906, 1975.1.1907, and 1975.1.1908), and two in The Cloisters Collection (47.101.63 and 47.101.64), form part of the same series of early fifteenth-century Franco-Flemish embroideries depicting scenes from the life of Saint Martin. Originally part of a much larger ensemble (thirty-six roundels and panels are now dispersed among public and private collections), the embroideries may have decorated a liturgical vestment, an altar frontal, or possibly a combination thereof, constituting a set of vestments.

This roundel represents the earliest episode in the life of Saint Martin in the series. The young Martin is portrayed announcing to his family that, against their wishes, he will become a catechumen (a Christian convert under instruction before baptism). The scene reveals the artist’s interest in narrative detail as Martin’s male relatives, dressed in vibrant colors, react to his proclamation. His father, presumably the male figure on the right, raises his hand, while another male relative, at left, covers his face.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Saint Martin Announcing to His Parents That He Will Become a Christian
  • Date: 1430–35
  • Culture: Flemish
  • Medium: Linen plain weave underlaid with linen plain weave and embroidered with silk and gilt-metal-strip-wrapped silk in split and stem stitches, laid work, and couching, including or nué
  • Dimensions: Diameter (above mount opening): 6 1/2 in. (16.5cm)
  • Classification: Textiles-Ecclesiastical
  • Credit Line: Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
  • Object Number: 1975.1.1909
  • Curatorial Department: The Robert Lehman Collection

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Hat Badge: Woman Choosing Between Youth and Old Age, Gold, gold filigree and enamel, probably Flemish (Malines)
Hat Badge: Woman Choosing Between Youth and Old Age
probably Flemish (Malines)
ca. 1520
The Holy Family, Wool, silk, and gilt- and silvered-metal-strip-wrapped silk in slit, dovetailed, and interlocking tapestry weave with supplementary brocading wefts (in sewing basket, Joseph's coat, and hem of Mary's cloak), Flemish, Southern Netherlands
The Holy Family
Flemish, Southern Netherlands
ca. 1500
The Last Supper, Bernard van Orley Netherlandish, Wool, silk, silver-gilt thread.
The Last Supper
Bernard van Orley
Pieter de Pannemaker
ca. 1525–28
Emperor Vespasian Cured by Veronica's Veil, Wool, silk, and gilt-metal-strip-wrapped silk in slit, dovetailed, and double interlocking tapestry weave., Flemish, Brussels
Emperor Vespasian Cured by Veronica's Veil
Flemish, Brussels
ca. 1510
Armorial tazza, Italian (Venice) or façon de Venise (Venetian-style), Colorless (slightly gray) nonlead glass; blown, pattern-molded, enameled, gilt, Venetian or façon de Venise, or French
Armorial tazza
Italian
French
1499–1514

Related Content

Perspectives

Articles, audio, and video from The Met's online magazine.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.