Embroidered Tondo from an Altar Frontal: The Coronation of the Virgin
Unknown Artist
1459
Medium
Embroidery with gold, silver, and silk thread; split, satin, and couching stitches, or nué (shaded gold)
Dimensions
{"overall":{"height":0.578,"width":0.578}}
Classification
Embroidery
Department
Textiles
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Accession Number
1953.129
About this artwork
This masterpiece of Florentine embroidery takes the circular form called a tondo and was likely once attached to an altar frontal. The scene depicts the coronation of the Virgin, the final and culminating event in the narrative cycle of her life. Honoring her as queen of heaven, Christ places the crown on his mother’s head. They are surrounded by eight angels as well as Saints Verdiana and John Gualberto, both much esteemed in Florence, creating a joyous scene. During the Renaissance, Florence e...