Cover

Art Historical Context

This magnificent ecclesiastical cover, crafted by an unknown artist in late 18th-century Spainpossibly from Valencia or Talavera—stands as a testament to the era's exquisite textile artistry. Measuring an impressive 74 3/4 x 66 1/2 inches (192 x 169.4 cm), it was designed for use in Catholic liturgy, likely as an altar frontal, chalice veil, or burse cover, adorning sacred spaces during Masses and rituals. Its classification within the Robert Lehman Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art highlights its and preservation. Made from luxurious silk and linen with intricate ink detailing, th...