Fragment (From a Chasuble)
17th century
Medium
Green velvet with figures of two Saints
Dimensions
37.9 × 52.6 cm (14 15/16 × 20 13/16 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
226738
Art Historical Context
This exquisite fragment from a chasuble, a sleeveless outer vestment worn by Catholic priests during Mass, hails from the 17th century. Crafted from lush green velvet and adorned with embroidered figures of two saints, it measures 37.9 × 52.6 cm and now resides in the Art Institute of Chicago's Textiles Department. Though the artist remains unknown, the piece exemplifies the opulent craftsmanship of ecclesiastical textiles from Europe's Baroque era, when church adornments rivaled the grandeur of altarpieces. In the 17th century, such vestments were symbols of devotion and status, often produc...
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...