Embroidered Hanging

Unknown

late 14th century · Silk on linen, painted inscriptions · The Cloisters

Medieval theology often interpreted episodes from Hebrew scripture as prefigurations of events in the New Testament. The Sacrifice of Isaac, for example, was seen as an allusion to the Crucifixion. The present embroidery likely had a pendant depicting scenes from the life of Christ. The presence of saints venerated especially in Hildesheim, such as Epiphanius, Bernward, and Godehard, supports an attribution to a convent in the vicinity. The coats of arms are those of the landgrave of Hesse and the house of Lichtfuss.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 14th century

Medium

Silk on linen, painted inscriptions

Culture

German

Department

The Cloisters

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. W. Murray Crane, 1969