About This Artwork

Flanders, France or Spain

Chasuble Showing the Arms of France, 16th century

Linen and wool, plain weave with supplementary pile warps forming solid cut and uncut velvet; stamped; (known as velours de trek); edged with linen, warp-faced plain weave with extended ground weft uncut fringe off one side; lined with linen, plain weave; glazed
128.5 x 70.2 cm (50 5/8 x 27 5/8 in.)
Warp repeat: 52.2 cm (20 1/2 in.)
Inscription: Pietate (with piety) Justitia (with justice)
Grace R. Smith Textile Endowment, 1978.394

Exhibition, Publication and Ownership Histories

Exhibition History

The Art Institute of Chicago, Agnes Allerton Gallery, "Sumptuous Velvets from the Permanent Collection,"
March 1–September 28, 1980

The Art Institute of Chicago, Agnes Allerton Gallery, "Vestments and Liturgical Textiles from the Permanent Collection," July 27–October 9, 1983

The Art Institute of Chicago, Elizabeth F. Cheney and Agnes Allerton Textile Galleries, "European Textile Masterpieces from Coptic Times through the 19th Century," September 27, 1989–January 22, 1990

The Art Institute of Chicago, Elizabeth F. Cheney and Agnes Allerton Textile Galleries, "Gloria in Excelsis Deo: Heralding a Vestment Collection," September 11, 1996–January 12, 1997

The Art Institute of Chicago, Elizabeth F. Cheney and Agnes Allerton Textile Galleries, "Renaissance Velvets and Silks," December 18, 2002–April 13, 2003

Ownership History

Acquired by Loewi-Robertson from Eugenio di Castro, dealer, Rome - 7/7/78 (see research file)