Panel
Unknown Artist
16th–17th century
Medium
Silk
Dimensions
10 1/4 x 8 inches (26.0 x 20.3 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Woven
Culture
Italian
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Fletcher Fund, 1946
Accession Number
46.156.91
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite silk panel, woven in Italy during the 16th or 17th century, the mastery of Renaissance-era textile artisans. Measuring just 10¼ x 8 inches, its compact size suggests it may have adorned luxurious garments, ecclesiastical vestments, or fine furnishings, reflecting the era's opulent decorative tastes. The floral motifs, hinted at in its tags, evoke the natural abundance celebrated in Italian art, where blooming patterns symbolized beauty, fertility, and the divine. Crafted from precious silk—a material prized for its luster and drape—this woven textile exemplifies Italy's renowne...