Veglia Altar Frontal

The Veglia altar frontal, 14th century, Venice, Italy. The Veglia altar frontal, 14th century, Venice, Italy. Copyright Victoria and Albert Museum, London, acc. no. T.1-1965.

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London houses the so-called Veglia altar frontal, which was made in the early fourteenth century in Venice, Italy. It measures 107 x 277 cm. It is made of a red silk, with underside couching in metal and silk, and with coloured silk threads embroidered mainly with split stitch for the outlines and details.

According to the V&A catalogue, the frontal was likely designed by the famous Venezian painter, Paolo Veneziano, or by his workshop, with a clear Byzantine influence. It was made for the cathedral of Veglia (modern Krk) in Croatia. The frontal shows Christ crowning Mary, being surrounded by angels and saints, including Saint Querinus of Sescia, the patron saint of Veglia. The design was drawn onto the cloth, and then embroidered. Some of the drawing can now be seen at places where the embroidery has worn away.

V&A online catalogue (retrieved 20 December 2016).

WV

Last modified on Sunday, 19 March 2017 20:00