Fragment

Art Historical Context

This exquisite *Fragment* from 16th-century Italy showcases the opulence of Renaissance embroidery, crafted with silk and shimmering metal threads on a silk ground. Measuring an impressive 55 inches long by 7⅝ inches wide, its narrow, elongated form suggests it was once part of a larger textile—perhaps a liturgical stole, altar frontal border, or luxurious garment panel. Donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1933 by Kate Read Blacque in memory of her husband, it resides in the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts collection, highlighting the era's mastery of fine textiles. In Renaiss...