Precious tapestries in the Duomo Museum

Stories of Moses

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Stories of Moses

The Duomo Museum exhibites many examples of the extraordinary cultural heritage of the Cathedral. These include the precious Gonzaga Tapestries which were donated to the Veneranda Fabbrica in 1569 by Saint Charles Borromeo to raise fund for the construction of a new rectory.

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Three of the Tapestries that formed the original series were destroyed in a fire which raged through the Fabbrica's pavilion during the 1906 International Expo. Only four artworks survived.

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This valuable artworks tell the Stories of Moses, woven by Nicola Karcher in 1554–56, based on sketches by Giovanni Battista Bertani, for the Duke of Mantua Guglielmo Gonzaga.

Tapestries Room (2017)Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano

The Brazen Serpent (1554/1556) by Manufactured by Nicola KarcherVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano

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Nicolas Karcher was one of the greatest tapestry craftsmen in Brussels. His woven creations was inspired by Giulio Romano, a pupil of Raphael.

Moses receives the ten Commandments (1554/1556) by Manufactured by Nicola KarcherVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano

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The surviving tapestries include those depicting The Crossing of the Red Sea , Moses and the Bronze Serpent, Moses Breaking the Tables of the Law and Cherubs with the Gonzaga Coat of Arms.

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Valuable creations

The scenes are framed with a tree garland, shields, emblems, and references to the Gonzaga family, the Dukes of Mantua. The woven creation is made from wool, silk, silver, and gold. These three works are complemented by another tapestry, depicting Cherubs' Games which can be seen in the previous room

Cherubs playing (1554/1556) by Manufactured by Nicola KarcherVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano

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