Chasuble.
Columns – Lithuania (?), 15th–16th c. Side fabric – early 20th c.
Church of the Suffering Blessed Virgin Mary in Švenčionėliai.
15th–16th c. Between the Middle Ages and Renaissance
The predominant style in Lithuania in the late 15th and early 16th century still pointed to the transition from Gothic to Renaissance. The architectural arch, under which individual saints or biblical scenes were represented, no longer framed a figure, but served as a three-dimensional action field. In the Renaissance period, the or nué technique was developed, and the knowledge of perspective drawing and anatomy began to be applied. In Lithuania, the art of embroidery was strongly influenced by the Flemish and German traditions.
Chasubles
The chasuble is the central vestment for the Holy Mass worn by a priest over all the other parts of liturgical clothing. Originating from a Roman conical cloak protecting from cold, it has retained its form throughout the Middle Ages. Its sides gradually became shorter allowing more freedom of movement, until it became similar to a magnificent shield. The 19th–20th century liturgical movements returned the ancient form of a cloak to the chasuble.
Images of saints
The back orphrey consists of four fields. Inside the arches, St. Paul, St. Matthew, St. Bartholomew and St. Andrew are represented.
