Scenes from the Life of the Virgin

Unknown

ca. 1490–1510 · Wool warp, wool, silk, and metallic wefts · Medieval Art

Wearing a red-and-gold brocaded dress and carried along by six angels, Mary ascends into heaven at the center of this five-part composition. Other episodes from her life unfold around this principal scene. Beginning in the upper left corner is the Presentation of the young Mary in the Temple, followed by the meeting of Mary and Elizabeth in the upper right corner. The Annunciation at left and the Adoration of the Magi at right dominate the lower field, their figures boasting exuberant costumes. The arrangement of the scenes in this tapestry gives preference to the most important episodes in Mary’s life rather than following a strict chronology. The tapestry’s relatively small size suggests that it was designed to hang alone behind an altar.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1490–1510

Medium

Wool warp, wool, silk, and metallic wefts

Culture

South Netherlandish

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Bequest of Benjamin Altman, 1913