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The Mystical Grapes
c. 1500
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States
In this tapestry, the Holy Family appears seated at a
table. Flanked by Mary and Joseph, the Christ Child
squeezes grapes into a chalice, symbolizing the gift of Christ’s blood for the redemption of humankind. Behind, three angels read from an open book.
During the late medieval period, intense mystical
fervor in Europe focused largely on the blood and
Passion of Christ. Small tapestries such as this were
used for personal devotions.
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Details
- Title: The Mystical Grapes
- Date Created: c. 1500
- Physical Dimensions: Overall: 79 x 75.9 cm (31 1/8 x 29 7/8 in.); Framed: 102.2 x 99.7 cm (40 1/4 x 39 1/4 in.)
- Provenance: Spitzer Collection; Economas Collection; Mortimer Schiff Collection; (Spencer A. Samuels & Co., Ltd.)
- Type: Tapestry
- Rights: CC0
- External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/1973.77
- Medium: Wool, silk, silver thread; tapestry weave
- Department: Textiles
- Culture: Flanders, possibly Bruges, early 16th century
- Credit Line: John L. Severance Fund
- Collection: Textiles
- Accession Number: 1973.77
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