Spain or Italy

Works attributed to the region of Spain or Italy encompass a broad chronological span, dating from the early thirteenth century through the beginning of the eighteenth century (1201-1701). This classification describes significant textile production originating from these major European centers, spanning the late Medieval, Renaissance, and early Baroque periods.

The body of work represented in institutional holdings consists exclusively of textiles. Ten such works are preserved in museum collections, notably at the Art Institute of Chicago. These artifacts provide crucial insight into historical ecclesiastical and domestic fabric design and construction across five centuries. Representative works include liturgical pieces such as an Altar Frontal and an Orphrey, alongside structural pieces documented as a Panel, Fragment, and Fragments. These pieces demonstrate the varied weaving techniques and the use of gold and silver thread characteristic of high-status Spanish or Italian production during this era.

Due to the age and historical significance of these artifacts, the original designs are often studied for their craftsmanship and historical color palettes. While the originals are preserved textiles, documentation related to Spain or Italy prints and fabric patterns are frequently made available in the public domain by collecting institutions. These resources allow researchers and designers access to the details of these complex textiles. Many institutions offer high-quality prints and photographic documentation for scholarly reference, establishing the continuing importance of these historical textile arts.