Southern Netherlands

The Holy Family with the Infant Christ Pressing the Wine of the Eucharist

1485/1525
Linen, wool, silk, and gilt-metal-strip-wrapped silk; slit tapestry weave. Warp: Count: 10 warps per cm; linen: S-ply of two Z-spun elements; diameters: 0.4–0.5 mm. Weft: Count: varies from 28 to 64 wefts per cm; wool: single Z-spun elements; S-ply of two Z-spun elements; pairs of S-ply of two Z-spun elements; diameters; 0.25–0.65 mm; silk: four elements possibly with a slight S- or slight Z-twist; three Z-twisted elements; S-ply of two Z-twisted elements; pairs of S-ply of two Z-twisted elements; three yarns of S-ply of two Z- twisted elements; Z-ply of two S-twisted elements; four yarns, two of S-ply of two Z-twisted elements and two of Z-ply of two S-twisted elements; two to four yarns of Z-ply of two and three S-twisted elements; diameters: 0.2–0.65 mm; wool and silk: paired yarns of S-ply of two Z-spun wool elements and S-ply of two Z-twisted silk elements; paired yarns of S-ply of two Z-twisted silk elements and Z-spun wool clement; diameters; 0.3–0.6 mm; gilt-metal-strip-wrapped silk: gilt-metal strips wrapped in an S-direction on an S-twisted silk element; S-ply of two yarns: each a Z-ply of two S-twisted yarns of gilt-metal strips wrapped in an S-direction on a Z-twisted silk element; diameters: 0.3–0.65 mm
75.6 × 68.2 cm (29.8 × 26.9 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

View at artic.eduPlan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

With its focus on the infant Christ squeezing grapes to make the Eucharistic wine, this small tapestry probably decorated a private oratory. The outer border of flowers and fruit is a later addition and is less finely woven than the holy figures and the inner border of a single pansy and rosebud.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Southern Netherlands

Large Leaf Verdure with Proscenium, Animals, and BirdsLarge Leaf Verdure with Proscenium, Animals, and BirdsCovered TankardCovered Tankard

More like this

Virgin and Child with a Donor Presented by Saint JeromeMaster of the Munich Bavarian Panels|Unknown — Virgin and ChHoly FamilyWorkshop of Joos van Cleve — Holy FamilyThe Holy FamilyLorenzo Costa — The Holy FamilyBirth of the Virgin, a Male Donor, and the Education of the VirginBirth of the Virgin, a Male Donor, and the Education of the The Adoration of the MagiIsrahel van Meckenem, the younger — The Adoration of the MagThe Holy FamilyThe Holy FamilyThe Holy FamilyIsrahel van Meckenem, the younger — The Holy FamilyAdoration of the MagiUnknown Artist German, 15th century — Adoration of the MagiVirgin and ChildJoos van Cleve — Virgin and ChildVirgin and ChildJan Provost — Virgin and ChildCircumcisionCircumcisionChrist Blessing, Surrounded by a Donor FamilyGerman Painter — Christ Blessing, Surrounded by a Donor Fami