Vestments from the Renaissance period are typically characterized by the richness of their materials, frequently employing ornate silks and velvets in bold patterns. In addition, figurative embroideries of Christ and the saints also tend to feature prominently. Today we are going to show you just such a set, dated to 1517-1526, having been made in that queen of Renaissance cities, Florence.
This particular set was made for Cardinal Silvio Passerini, a friend and ally of the powerful Medici family of Florence. He was Bishop of Cortona and Cardinal-Priest of San Lorenzo in Lucina -- where he is buried. The set is made primarily of a gold silk velvet with a rich design that includes pomegranates and scrolling acanthus leaves. Embedded within are also the symbol of the Lamb.
The chasuble specifically, which comes in a classic Renaissance bell shape, also includes a rich orphrey depicting the Virgin and Child, St. John the Baptist, St. Nicholas, St. Agnes and St. Augustine.
 |
| Detail showing the Virgin and Child |
 |
| Detail showing St. Agnes |
The cope is particularly elegant -- as Renaissance copes so often tend to be -- and includes a typical feature of copes coming from this period, a fringed hem, in this case in red and gold.
Found along the orphrey are God the Father, St. Jerome, St. Gregory, St. Lawrence, St. Peter, St. Paul and St. Stephen.
The shield (or hood) of the cope is especially interesting as it includes an image of the Transfiguration of Christ -- an image from the life of Christ that is curiously rare in vestment work, perhaps due to its particular complexity.
 |
| Detail showing St. Peter |
 |
| Detail showing St. Paul |
 |
| Detail showing St. Lawrence |
The dalmatic and tunicle from the set include two beautiful red tassel ties and the stemma of Cardinal Passerini.
The final piece from this set that I would like to share with you is the antependium. It also prominently features the arms of the cardinal. Located along the superfrontal are medallions depicting the Virgin and Child, the Four Evangelists, St. Antony of the Desert and St. Margaret of Cortona.
 |
| Detail showing St. John |
 |
| Detail showing St. Luke |
It is worth noting that all of the imagery found within these exquisite vestments were designed by the painters Andrea de Sarto (+1530) and Raffaellino of Garbo (+1524) an artist who trained under Fra Filippino Lippi.
-------
Do you like Liturgical Arts Journal's original content? You can help support LAJ in its mission and vision to promote beauty in Catholic worship either by:
You choose the amount! Your support makes all the difference.
