Fragment

Art Historical Context

This delicate *Fragment* of bobbin lace, crafted by an unknown artist in 17th-century Genoa, Italy, exemplifies the pinnacle of Renaissance-era textile artistry. Measuring just 9¼ by 6 inches (23.5 x 15.2 cm), this surviving piece from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts collection was acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1920. Genoa was a renowned center for lace production during this period, where skilled artisans transformed fine linen threads into luxurious embellishments for elite wardrobes, altar cloths, and furnishings. Bobbin lace, the medium here, ...