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Saint Martin Brings a Dead Man to Life

1430–35
Not on view
This roundel, together with three others in the Lehman Collection (1975.1.1907, 1975.1.1908, and 1975.1.1909), 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.

In the year 361, Martin founded the monastery of Ligugé outside of Poitiers in France, one of the earliest monastic institutions in Europe. The present roundel depicts the saint having returned to the monastery from a journey, when he learned that a man, whom he was instructing in the Christian faith, had died unbaptized. According to a contemporary source, Martin “had the body brought to his cell and prostrated himself upon it, and by his prayer recalled the man to life.” The naked, decrepit, and outstretched body of the deceased man has parallels in contemporary Franco-Flemish painting and manuscript illumination. Martin’s miracle, the first of many performed by him, brought him widespread acclaim, and several years later, he was consecrated Bishop of Tours.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Saint Martin Brings a Dead Man to Life
  • 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: 6 11/16 in. (17cm)
  • Classification: Textiles-Ecclesiastical
  • Credit Line: Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
  • Object Number: 1975.1.1906
  • Curatorial Department: The Robert Lehman Collection

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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
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The Last Supper, Bernard van Orley Netherlandish, Wool, silk, silver-gilt thread.
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Pieter de Pannemaker
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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
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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
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