Cleveland Museum of Art 143165 portrait 500s CE CC0 cma african-global-heritage sacred-art symbols-patterns african global heritage sacred art symbols patterns tapestry medieval religious virgin mary child jesus saints angels wool silk red gold brown geometric symbolic europe 14th century illuminated icon the virgin and child 500s CE Egypt, Byzantine period wool and dye Textile Religious African & Global Heritage Sacred & Devotional Symbols & Ornament
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- Rights signal
- CC0
- Publication file
- 573 × 900 px · WebP
- Suggested credit
- Icon of the Virgin and Child (500s CE). Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund Rights: CC0. https://clevelandart.org/art/1967.144
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From the museum record
Woven from more than 20 colors of woolen thread, this rare tapestry was more expensive than a painting when it was made. The historical price reflected contemporary viewers’ appreciation for the skilled color blending by the weavers. Hung on a wall, this tapestry allowed viewers to venerate (honor) the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child in the Christian Orthodox church. Angels and apostles surround them, their names written in Greek. To be spiritually effective, an icon (devotional image) should follow its subject’s established visual tradition as closely as possible.
Lupin’s visual index
A richly detailed medieval tapestry depicts the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus surrounded by saints and angels.
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