Altar Frontal
18th century
Medium
Linen, plain weave; embroidered with linen in back, cross, long-armed cross and double running stitches; edged with linen, bobbin straight lace; cotton, plain weave tape
Dimensions
74.6 × 276.7 cm (29 3/8 × 109 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
149003
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 18th-century *Altar Frontal* the Art Institute of Chicago Textiles collection is a masterful example of ecclesiastical embroidery, designed to adorn the front of a church altar during religious services. Measuring an impressive 74.6 × 276.7 cm (29 3/8 × 109 in.), its elongated rectangular form allowed it to drape elegantly across even the largest altars, enhancing the sacred atmosphere with its refined craftsmanship. Crafted on a linen plain-weave ground, the frontal is richly embroidered with linen threads using a repertoire of period techniques: back stitch, cross stitch, lon...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...