Embroidered Hanging

late 14th century
Not on view
Medieval theology often interpreted episodes from Hebrew scripture as prefigurations of events in the New Testament. The Sacrifice of Isaac, for example, was seen as an allusion to the Crucifixion. The present embroidery likely had a pendant depicting scenes from the life of Christ. The presence of saints venerated especially in Hildesheim, such as Epiphanius, Bernward, and Godehard, supports an attribution to a convent in the vicinity. The coats of arms are those of the landgrave of Hesse and the house of Lichtfuss.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Embroidered Hanging
  • Date: late 14th century
  • Geography: Made in probably Hildesheim, Lower Saxony, Germany
  • Culture: German
  • Medium: Silk on linen, painted inscriptions
  • Dimensions: 63 x 62 1/2 in. (160 x 158.8 cm)
  • Classification: Textiles-Embroidered
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. W. Murray Crane, 1969
  • Object Number: 69.106
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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Embroidered Hanging - German - The Metropolitan Museum of Art