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Tapestry: The Assumption of the Virgin (from the series, The Life of the Virgin)
Flemish
about 1535
Object Place: Brussels, Flanders
Medium/Technique
Tapestry weave (wool warp; wool, silk, silver, and gilt-silver wefts)
Dimensions
314.96 x 209.55 cm (124 x 82 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Charles Potter Kling Fund
Accession Number1975.810
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope, Fashion and Textiles
ClassificationsTextiles
DescriptionThe Apostles who were present at the death of the Virgin Mary are gathered around her empty tomb to witness the ascent of her body to be reunited with her soul in Heaven. Garlands of fruits and flowers, with birds, frame the picture. The colors are cream, blue, red, green, brown and yellow. The composition is thought to be copied from an engraving by the "Master of the Die" after Raphael's lost plan for the altarpiece of the Chigi Chapel in Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome.
ProvenanceBetween about 1530 and 1538, created for Evrard de la Marck (b. 1472 - d. 1538), Prince-Bishop of Liège [see note 1]. A convent in Naples, possibly the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata Maggiore [see note 2]. By 1876, Alessandro Castellani (b. 1823 - d. 1883), Rome [see note 3]; 1878, sold by Castellani to the Boston Athenaeum; 1975, sold by the Boston Athenaeum to the MFA. (Accession Date: March 10, 1975)
NOTES:
[1] The original destination of the tapestry is not known, but it is likely that Evrard de la Marck commissioned it (along with another tapestry representing the Virgin at the Palm Tree) for a religious establishment in Liège. See Guy Delmarcel, "La Vie de la Vierge, deux nouvelles tapisseries du Cardinal Erard de la Marck," in Archivum Artis Lovaniense, ed. M. Snyders (Leuven, 1981), pp. 225-237.
[2] The tapestry is said to have been purchased by Castellani from a convent in Naples, possibly the church of the Annunziata (Basilica della Santissima Annunziata Maggiore). For many years it was believed that Cardinal Caraffa had given this tapestry to the church of the Annunziata, since his arms were -- erroneously -- identified on the tapestry itself. The arms have now been correctly identified as those of Evrard de la Marck and the provenance back to Caraffa can no longer be supported. It is possible, but remains unverified, that Castellani acquired this from a convent in Naples.
[3] This was among the works of art Castellani exhibited in Philadelphia in 1876.
NOTES:
[1] The original destination of the tapestry is not known, but it is likely that Evrard de la Marck commissioned it (along with another tapestry representing the Virgin at the Palm Tree) for a religious establishment in Liège. See Guy Delmarcel, "La Vie de la Vierge, deux nouvelles tapisseries du Cardinal Erard de la Marck," in Archivum Artis Lovaniense, ed. M. Snyders (Leuven, 1981), pp. 225-237.
[2] The tapestry is said to have been purchased by Castellani from a convent in Naples, possibly the church of the Annunziata (Basilica della Santissima Annunziata Maggiore). For many years it was believed that Cardinal Caraffa had given this tapestry to the church of the Annunziata, since his arms were -- erroneously -- identified on the tapestry itself. The arms have now been correctly identified as those of Evrard de la Marck and the provenance back to Caraffa can no longer be supported. It is possible, but remains unverified, that Castellani acquired this from a convent in Naples.
[3] This was among the works of art Castellani exhibited in Philadelphia in 1876.