Chasuble with Medallion Depicting John the Baptist
1575/1625
After a fresco by Andrea del Sarto (Italian, 1486–1530) (Tondo only) Italy
Italy
The primary feature of this important vestment is the tondo or circular scene showing John the Baptist standing beside the kneeling Christ, executed entirely in needlework. It is based on a fresco painted by the High Renaissance artist Andrea del Sarto that dates between 1502 and 1517.
Linen, plain weave underlaid with silk, plain weave with insert medallion of silk, warp-float faced satin weave; embroidered with silk and gilt- and silvered-metal-strip-wrapped silk and linen in satin, split and stem stitches; couching and French knots; edged with silk and gilt-metal-strip-wrapped silk, plain weave with patterning wefts and complementary weft weave tapes; lined with silk, plain weave