Eleanor of Aquitaine Place Setting
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Caption
Judy Chicago American, born 1939. Eleanor of Aquitaine Place Setting, 1974–1979. Runner: Cotton/linen base fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, tapestry, bleached linen, wool, silk satin, silk thread, felt, appliquéd fabric, thread Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint) and rainbow luster glaze, Runner: 52 3/8 x 30 5/8 in. (133 x 77.8 cm) Plate:14 5/8 x 14 11/16 x 1 1/2 in. (37.1 x 37.3 x 4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10-PS-19. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2002.10-PS-19_plate_PS9.jpg)
Artist
Title
Eleanor of Aquitaine Place Setting
Date
1974–1979
Medium
Runner: Cotton/linen base fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, tapestry, bleached linen, wool, silk satin, silk thread, felt, appliquéd fabric, thread Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint) and rainbow luster glaze
Classification
Dimensions
Runner: 52 3/8 x 30 5/8 in. (133 x 77.8 cm) Plate:14 5/8 x 14 11/16 x 1 1/2 in. (37.1 x 37.3 x 4 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation
Accession Number
2002.10-PS-19
Rights
© artist or artist's estate
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Frequent Art Questions
Who is Eleanor of Aquitaine?
Eleanor of Aquitaine was queen of both France and England in the 12th century, making her one of the most powerful women of the time. After separating from her second husband, she moved her household to her lands in western France and developed the Court of Love which encouraged courtly love, ideals, and etiquette governing the courtship of knights and ladies. This would go on to become the accepted mode of behavior for the nobility throughout medieval Europe.Tell me more.
This place setting is for Eleanor of Aquitaine. She served as queen of France and England in the 12th century, making her one of the most powerful women of the time. Her plate features a fleur-de-lis, a symbol of France commonly found in art of the Middle Ages. It is also related to the iris, both are symbols of the Virgin Mary, alluding to Eleanor of Aquitaine's power.Cool, my daughter studied her in AP World History.That's awesome. One of the reasons Chicago was inspired to create The Dinner Party was because she felt her education lacked recognition of prominent women in history. It's cool to know that one of these historically overlooked women is know being highlighted in school.I know Chicago says the embroidery style reflects the woman’s epoch but I wonder if there is more in depth info available about the different styles of embroidery and reasons behind the different materials that Eleanor's runner is made from?
As you've said, the different techniques relate to the different time periods and women represented. On Eleanor of Aquitaine's runner, you will see references to tapestries woven by noblewomen (like her!) during the 12th century.
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