Embroidered hood edged with fringes, depicting a scene of the Ascension. Front view.

Florentine embroidered hood: The Ascension, Cl. 23899 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Embroidery depicting the Ascension. Christ ascends while the apostles and the Virgin Mary look up towards Him. Front view.

Florentine embroidered hood: The Ascension, Cl. 23899 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Embroidery depicting two musician angels. Front photograph.

Florentine embroidered hood: The Ascension, Cl. 23899 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Embroidery depicting two musician angels. Front photograph.

Florentine embroidered hood: The Ascension, Cl. 23899 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Embroidery depicting a coat of arms shield with diagonal bands of gold and blue. Front photograph.

Florentine embroidered hood: The Ascension, Cl. 23899 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Florentine embroidered hood: The Ascension

Description

Not on display

15th century

Late Middle Ages

This embroidery is a hood, a piece of fabric shaped like a heraldic shield placed on the back of a cope (a ceremonial cape worn by clerics). It depicts the Ascension: Christ, surrounded by musician angels, ascends into the heavens represented by the golden background, while the apostles and the Virgin look up at him.

This exquisite Florentine embroidery was probably created between 1420 and 1440 during the height of the International Gothic style, close in style to that of the painters Lorenzo Monaco and Mariotto di Nardo.

The coat of arms suggests a commission by Francesco Arcieri, Bishop of Squillace (Calabria) from 1418 to 1430.
 
 

From one artwork to another

Lead object: boat with an inscription on the sail carrying a Virgin and Child. Front view.

Pilgrimage badge, Notre-Dame, Cl. 4697 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Pilgrimage badges

13th century - 14th century - 15th century