Judy Chicago (American, born 1939). <em>Hildegarde of Bingen Place Setting</em>, 1974–1979. Runner:Cotton/linen base fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, cotton cord, felt, silk thread, silk satin fabric, colored cords, unknown padding materials, thread
Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint) and metallic iridescent luster glaze, Runner: 51 3/4 x 30 1/2 in. (131.4 x 77.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10-PS-20. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2002.10-PS-20_plate_PS9.jpg)

Judy Chicago (American, born 1939). Hildegarde of Bingen Place Setting, 1974–1979. Runner:Cotton/linen base fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, cotton cord, felt, silk thread, silk satin fabric, colored cords, unknown padding materials, thread Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint) and metallic iridescent luster glaze, Runner: 51 3/4 x 30 1/2 in. (131.4 x 77.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10-PS-20. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2002.10-PS-20_plate_PS9.jpg)

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Who is Hildegarde?

Hildegarde of Bingen was a 12th century German abbess and mystic whose advice was consulted by the Pope at a time when women were given little respect by members of the Catholic Church.

The plate is modeled after a rose window, the central stained glass window in any gothic cathedral, often considered the spiritual center of the church.

What are the spikes on the H?

Hildegarde of Bingen was a Benedictine abbess and mystic whose visions and advice were consulted by bishops and the Pope at a time when women were given little respect by members of the Catholic Church.

The forms on the letter H are done in stitching techniques that imitate embroidery used in medieval church textiles. They echo the forms on the back of the runner, where we see Hildegarde’s visionary drawing of the universe!

What does the text say under Hildegarde's cloth?

It reads "Hildegarde's Vision of the Universe". The image above is a recreation of an illustration by Hildgarde in her manuscript of the universe as it appeared to her in a trance.

Hildegarde of Bingen 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, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, cotton cord, felt, silk thread, silk satin fabric, colored cords, unknown padding materials, thread Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint) and metallic iridescent luster glaze

DATES 1974–1979

DIMENSIONS Runner: 51 3/4 x 30 1/2 in. (131.4 x 77.5 cm) Plate:14 x 14 x 1 3/16 in. (35.7 x 35.7 x 3 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 2002.10-PS-20

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). Hildegarde of Bingen Place Setting, 1974–1979. Runner:Cotton/linen base fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, cotton cord, felt, silk thread, silk satin fabric, colored cords, unknown padding materials, thread Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint) and metallic iridescent luster glaze, Runner: 51 3/4 x 30 1/2 in. (131.4 x 77.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10-PS-20. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2002.10-PS-20_plate_PS9.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 2002.10-PS-20_plate_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2013

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