[Embroidery] "Holy shroud of Besançon"

32.5 x 50 cm, probably produced in Besançon around 1700 but perhaps closer in date to the original composition: the central scene (silver framing line 19 x 34 cm) follows an engraving by Jean de Loisy (1634), with the presentation of the holy shroud of Besançon, this scene within broad decorative floral border, made of variously coloured wool and silver thread on silk, in 19th century frame w. ticket of the framer Girard (Angers) on the back.

Faded and with a few dam./ rubbed spots/ sm. holes, but in overall good condition considering the extreme fragility and transience of the material. Not examined outside the frame. A rare, relatively early and finely executed example of this kind of embroidery. Most probably, these embroideries were "touching relics" that actually made physical contact with the shroud itself, allowing the holy power of the shroud to be transferred to the embroidery. The power of the shroud was supposed to heal eye-diseases. Undoubtely, this was also commercially speaking a very succesful practice for the canons of Besançon. The central shroud ("saint-suaire" in French), depicts the image of Christ deliberately very vague except for the bright red stigmata. It is held by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, in front of the three mourning Marias. The central rectangular scene is surrounded by a beautiful broad floral border with much use of silver thread, now completely oxidized. We thank Richard de Beer, specialist at the Museum Catharijneconvent in Utrecht, for his indispensable help with the determination of this object.