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English - A Man and Woman in a Garden, 1590-1610

English

A Man and Woman in a Garden, 1590-1610

Linen tabby embroidered with polychrome wool silk yarns in tent stitches , 190.5 x 283.2 cm (75 x 111 1/2 in.)

Commentary

Isabella Gardner’s love of textiles can be seen throughout the museum. In the center of this densely embroidered textile, which was probably made to hang on a wall, a fashionably dressed couple stroll through a garden filled with animals. You can probably find the dogs and the monkey, but look for at least eight other kinds of creatures. On the left, a young man plays bagpipes beneath a tree. The border contains richly-dressed figures, more animals, and a variety of fruits and flowers. The prominence of the large figures set in such a lush environment suggests that the textile celebrates courtly love.