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The Gathering of Manna

Designer Designed by Alessandro Allori Italian
Woven in Medici workshop under the direction of Guasparri di Bartolomeo Papini Italian
1595–96
Not on view
Depicting the Children of Israel gathering manna (Exodus 16) and Moses holding the tablets on which he inscribed the Ten Commandments, this tapestry was one of three (of an intended set of five) made in 1595/96 for the cathedral of Como. It is a rare example of a private commission under taken by the Florence tapestry workshops, whose production was largely reserved for the Medici. According to contractual documents, the tapestries were to be of medium-quality weave and each would be woven in eight months (two were required for the cartoons). Combining multiple narrative, an all-over composition, and an elaborate sculptural border, the designs typify those that Allori produced for the Medici workshop during the last quarter of the sixteenth century. Before completion, the set was appropriated by Ferdinand de' Medici as a gift for Alessandro de' Medici, archbishop of Florence (later Pope Leo XI), before his departure to France as papal ambassador.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Gathering of Manna
  • Designer: Designed by Alessandro Allori (Italian, Florence 1535–1607 Florence)
  • Maker: Woven in Medici workshop under the direction of Guasparri di Bartolomeo Papini (Italian, ca. 1540–1621)
  • Date: 1595–96
  • Culture: Italian, Florence
  • Medium: Wool and silk
  • Dimensions: Overall: H. 168 x W. 176 in. (426.7 x 447 cm)
  • Classification: Textiles-Tapestries
  • Credit Line: Purchase, The Isak and Rose Weinman Foundation Inc. Gift and Rogers Fund, 2004
  • Object Number: 2004.165
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

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Design for Ornamental Border with Foliage, Putti and a Lion's Head, Alessandro Allori Italian, Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, over traces of black chalk or graphite, highlighted with white gouache, on blue paper
Design for Ornamental Border with Foliage, Putti and a Lion's Head
Alessandro Allori
1535–1607
The Judgment of Paris, Alessandro Allori Italian, Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, highlighted with white gouache, over black chalk, on blue paper
The Judgment of Paris
Alessandro Allori
1583
Design for a Narrative Frieze: A Commander Addressing His Troops, Alessandro Allori Italian, Pen and brown ink, brush and gray-brown wash, highlighted with a little white, over black chalk, on brownish paper; framing lines in black chalk
Design for a Narrative Frieze: A Commander Addressing His Troops
Alessandro Allori
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Panel of velvet, Silk and metal thread, Italian, probably Florence
Panel of velvet
Italian, probably Florence
second half 16th century
The Throne of Grace, Or nué embroidery of silk and metal thread, Italian, probably Florence
The Throne of Grace
Italian, probably Florence
mid-15th century

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