Piece

Art Historical Context

This exquisite silk textile fragment, titled simply *Piece*, hails from the 17th century and originates from either Italy or Spain, two powerhouses of European textile artistry during the Baroque era. Measuring 21½ x 16⅞ inches (54.6 x 42.9 cm), it showcases intricate woven motifs of blooming flowers and lush leaves, evoking the era's fascination with nature's abundance. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1920, it now graces the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts. Woven entirely from silk—a luxurious import symbolizing wealth and sophistication—...