Curator

  • Art Institute Chicago
  • Harvard art museum
  • My Exhibition
Roundel: Putto on a Horse

Roundel: Putto on a Horse

Byzantine

A figure nude except for flowing cape rides a white horse with its mouth open wide, perhaps whinnying. Red yarn marks out details of the figure's face, hand, and bellybutton against the golden body of the putto. Figure and horse are against indigo background with red border. Slit and interlock tapestry. Strongly eccentric wefts. Several areas of ground fabric survive and are folded underneath the tapestry roundel.

Wool and linen, tapestry weave

Byzantine period, Early

Textile Arts