[Sidenote:
_Wool, Silk, Gold._
H. with frame, 4 _ft._
W. with frame, 3 _ft._ 9 _in._
]
THE CRUCIFIXION: _Christ and the two thieves on the crosses. In the
foreground, right, the Roman soldiers; left, the sorrowing Marys. Floral
border._ _Dated in cartouche in the border_, 1574.
This is one of a number of small tapestries in silk and gold of religious
subjects, most of which have been attributed to Bernard Van Orley, who
probably designed this piece also. They are all of them very exact
reproductions of paintings, remarkable in weave and very beautiful
in color. The type was first woven in the first quarter of the XVIth
century, and continued to be produced in very limited numbers until well
into the XVIIth century. They were undoubtedly woven only for special
orders--probably for private chapels.
The piece is a very brilliant example of one of the richest types of
tapestry that has ever been woven.
[Sidenote: Lent by _P. W. French & Company_.]
Bernard Van Orley (1492-5 to 1540) was trained by his father,
Valentin, and afterwards studied under Raphael in Italy. He was
engaged to supervise the translation of Raphael's cartoons for the
famous series of the _Apostles_ into tapestry. In 1518 he became
court painter. He designed many tapestries, of which the most famous
are the _Hunts of Maximilian_ and the _Victory of Pavia_ series.
[Sidenote: 36]