Lace Altar Frontal
maker
Unknown
Dateabout 1550-1600
Place MadeAlpujarra, Andalusia, Spain, Europe
MediumPlain weave linen with drawnwork
Dimensions61 x 297.2 cm (24 x 117 in.)
ClassificationsFurnishings
Credit LineIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston
Accession numberT6n4
eMuseum ID728791
EmbARK ObjectID11306
Alt. No. 4 (Old Cavallo)063
Alt. No. 3 (Bain)021
Textile Database Number427
Alt. No. 2 (Cavallo)071
TMS Source ID540
Last Updated8/14/24
Status
Not on viewWeb CommentaryAlthough Gardner enjoyed selecting the laces in her collection herself, this large altar frontal was a birthday gift from her friend Dodge Macknight. In a letter accompanying the altar frontal, Macknight wrote “I would rather give it to you than sell it to anyone else.”
BibliographyNotesGilbert Wendel Longstreet and Morris Carter. General Catalogue (Boston, 1935), p. 46.
Ronald Hilton. Handbook of Hispanic Source Materials and Research Organizations in the United States (Stanford, California, 1956), p. 194. (as Spanish)
Karen E. Haas. "Dodge Macknight -- painting the town red and violet..." Fenway Court (1982), pp. 43-44.
Adolph S. Cavallo. Textiles: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Boston, 1986), p. 124, no. 56. (as Spanish, Alpujarra; dated 1550-1600)
Victoria Munroe Fine Art. Todd McKie: Adventures in the Lace Trade (Boston, 2003), p. 6.
Dakota Jackson, "Isabella's Lace," Inside the Collection (blog), Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 18 January 2022, https://www.gardnermuseum.org/blog/isabellas-lace
Ronald Hilton. Handbook of Hispanic Source Materials and Research Organizations in the United States (Stanford, California, 1956), p. 194. (as Spanish)
Karen E. Haas. "Dodge Macknight -- painting the town red and violet..." Fenway Court (1982), pp. 43-44.
Adolph S. Cavallo. Textiles: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Boston, 1986), p. 124, no. 56. (as Spanish, Alpujarra; dated 1550-1600)
Victoria Munroe Fine Art. Todd McKie: Adventures in the Lace Trade (Boston, 2003), p. 6.
Dakota Jackson, "Isabella's Lace," Inside the Collection (blog), Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 18 January 2022, https://www.gardnermuseum.org/blog/isabellas-lace
MarksNotesInscribed on accompanying note in ink in Isabella Stewart Gardner's hand (recto): Given to me by Dodge Macknight 1909 April 14
Inscribed on accompanying note ink ink in Morris Carter's hand, the first director of the museum (verso)" This slip, written by Mrs. Gardner, was found on the altar frontal on the Spanish Chapel altar. Morris Cater / August 27, 1927
Inscribed on accompanying note ink ink in Morris Carter's hand, the first director of the museum (verso)" This slip, written by Mrs. Gardner, was found on the altar frontal on the Spanish Chapel altar. Morris Cater / August 27, 1927
ProvenanceNotesPurchased by the painter Dodge Macknight (1860-1950) in Granada at an unknown date.
Gift from Dodge MacKnight to Isabella Stewart Gardner 14 April 1909.
Gift from Dodge MacKnight to Isabella Stewart Gardner 14 April 1909.
