The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 26, 2024

Altar Frontal with the Lamentation

Altar Frontal with the Lamentation

c. 1474
designed by

attributed to Cosimo Tura

(Italian, c. 1430–1495)
woven in the workshop of
(Italian, active 1457–1483)
Overall: 104.2 x 199.4 cm (41 x 78 1/2 in.)
Location: not on view

Description

A decorative textile suspended along the altar’s entire front, an altar frontal was often embellished with gold and silver threads, as seen here. This rare example depicts the lamentation of Christ, a common subject in Christian art in which the body of Christ is mourned after its removal from the cross. This version is highly acclaimed for its emotional intensity. Christ’s body is arranged in the shape of the cross, his shoulder rests on the Virgin’s knees, Saint John the Evangelist cradles his left arm, and Mary Magdalene supports his feet. Joseph of Arimathea carries the three nails with which Christ was crucified. This altar cloth was designed by Cosimo Tura who was employed at the court of Ercole I d’Este, duke of Ferrara, as a painter, illuminator, and tapestry designer between 1475 and 1484. His design was woven by Rubinetto di Francia, who was head of a large tapestry workshop at Ercole’s court. The subject of the design would imply its use during the Easter season.
  • Heinemann, Rudolf J., and Adolf Feulner. Stiftung Sammlung Schloss Rohoncz. Lugano-Castagnola: Stiftung Sammlung Schloss Rohoncz, 1937. cat.596, pl. 81
    Wadsworth Atheneum, Adelyn Dohme Breeskin, and Charles Crehore Cunningham. 2000 Years of Tapestry Weaving: A Loan Exhibition : Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, Dec. 7, 1951 to Jan. 27, 1952 ; the Baltimore Museum of Art, Feb. 27, 1952 to Mar. 25, 1952. Hartford, Conn: Wardsworth Atheneum], 1951. p. 42, plate XI, p. 73
    Shepherd, Dorothy G. ""The Lamentation," a Tapestry Antependium Designed by Cosimo Tura." The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 38, no. 2 (1951): 40-29. p. 40-42 25141688.
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    Detroit Institute of Arts, and Paul L. Grigaut. Decorative Arts of the Italian Renaissance, 1400-1600; The Detroit Institute of Arts [Exhibition] November 18, 1958-January 4, 1959. 1958. p. 80, no. 189
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    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1966. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1966. Reproduced: p. 83 archive.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1969. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1969. Reproduced: p. 83 archive.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1978. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1978. Reproduced: p. 96 archive.org
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  • Liturgical Textiles and Manuscripts from Medieval and Early Renaissance Italy (Manuscript and Textile Rotation) - Gallery 115. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (December 5, 2018-December 2, 2019).
    Renaissance Textiles (Textile Rotation) - Gallery 115. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 14, 2012-December 10, 2013).
    Draped in Splendor: Renaissance Textiles and the Church. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (September 7, 2003-September 26, 2004).
    Cosmè Tura: Painting and Design in Renaissance Ferrara. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston, MA (organizer) (January 20-May 12, 2002).
    Le Muse e il principe: arte di corte nel Rinascimento Padano, Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Milan, Italy (September 20-December 8, 1991).
    Decorative Arts of the Italian Renaissance, 1400-1600. Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, MI (November 8, 1958-January 4, 1959).
    2000 Years of Tapestry Weaving. Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, CT (December 7, 1951-January 27, 1952); Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore, MD (February 27-March 25, 1952).
    35th Anniversary Exhibition. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (June 20-September 30, 1951).
  • {{cite web|title=Altar Frontal with the Lamentation|url=false|author=Cosimo Tura, Rubinetto de Francia|year=c. 1474|access-date=26 March 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1950.145