Judy Chicago (American, born 1939). <em>Hrosvitha Place Setting</em>, 1974–1979. Runner: Cotton/linen base fabric, unbleached linen, felt backing, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, cotton sateen fabric, homemade cords, felt, thread
Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint), Runner: 52 3/8 x 30 1/2 in. (133 x 77.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10-PS-17. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2002.10-PS-17_plate_PS9.jpg)

Judy Chicago (American, born 1939). Hrosvitha Place Setting, 1974–1979. Runner: Cotton/linen base fabric, unbleached linen, felt backing, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, cotton sateen fabric, homemade cords, felt, thread Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint), Runner: 52 3/8 x 30 1/2 in. (133 x 77.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10-PS-17. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2002.10-PS-17_plate_PS9.jpg)

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Who is this?

That plate and runner belongs to Hrosvitha, the earliest known woman poet in Germany. Some scholars even consider her the first dramatist, or playwright, since ancient times.

The imagery of her plate and runner recounts her life through imagery from medieval German abbeys. Her plate portrays a stylized version of a nun's cap and hands clasped in prayer. The runner pays tribute to her contribution to literature.

What is this scene about?

This runner belongs to Hrosvitha, the earliest known woman poet in Germany, sometimes considered the first playwright since ancient times.

The back of the runner shows three embroidered scenes from her life as a medieval nun.

In the first panel, she enters an abbey where two nuns sing and play music. In the second, you see Hrosvitha writing. In the third, she has fallen asleep at her writing table and is dreaming of receiving recognition for her work.

Amazing!

Tell me more.

Hrosvitha was a nun and dramatist from Saxony who lived around 935 -1000 CE. She is the earliest known woman poet and playwright from Germany.

She lived in the Benedictine convent in Gandersheim where she most likely wrote her three manuscripts: Book of Legends, Book of Drama, and Epics.

The plate is supposed to represent a nun's cap and two hands clasped in prayer.

Hrosvitha Place Setting

Judy Chicago

Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art

On View: Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, 4th Floor

ARTIST Judy Chicago, American, born 1939

MEDIUM Runner: Cotton/linen base fabric, unbleached linen, felt backing, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, cotton sateen fabric, homemade cords, felt, thread Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint)

DATES 1974–1979

DIMENSIONS Runner: 52 3/8 x 30 1/2 in. (133 x 77.5 cm) Plate:14 7/32 x 14 7/32 x 1 3/16 in. (36.1 x 36.1 x 3 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 2002.10-PS-17

CREDIT LINE Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, 4th Floor

CAPTION Judy Chicago (American, born 1939). Hrosvitha Place Setting, 1974–1979. Runner: Cotton/linen base fabric, unbleached linen, felt backing, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, cotton sateen fabric, homemade cords, felt, thread Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint), Runner: 52 3/8 x 30 1/2 in. (133 x 77.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10-PS-17. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2002.10-PS-17_plate_PS9.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 2002.10-PS-17_plate_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2013

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RIGHTS STATEMENT © Judy Chicago

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