Vintage Embroidery on Frame of Saint Fabiola, Physician

A dramatic and unique embroidered textile, still stretched on its frame, of St. Fabiola, female physician of the 4th century.

Fabiola was a physician and Roman matron of rank of the company of noble Roman women who, under the influence of the Church father Jerome, gave up all earthly pleasures and devoted themselves to the practice of Christian asceticism and charitable work.

This embroidered work is based on the lost 1885 painting of Fabiola depicted in left-facing profile wearing a red headscarf by French artist Jean-Jacques Henner. It is a Matsubato Japan silk needlework pattern, likely from the 1960s.

Part of the charm and beauty of this unique piece is the fact that it’s still stretched on a frame, with thumbtacks, but is a finished work. Stunning detail, shading, and composition, with the Matsubato pattern stamps adding to the charm. Buyer could hang as-is (no hardware is included), or have it professionally framed.

Excellent vintage condition. One or two places where a thread is looped out a bit, but the texture of the thread makes these places very difficult to notice or photograph.

Dimensions (at widest/longest points of frame)
width: 15.5″
height: 19.75″
depth: 0.75″