Cardinal en Habit de Chœur (Cardinal in Choir Dress), Plate 7, 1862
This richly detailed handcolored lithograph, *Cardinal en Habit de Chœur* (Cardinal in Choir Dress), Plate 7 from *Album ou Collection Complète, et Historique des Costumes de la Cour de Rome* by G. Perugini, presents a cardinal in full ceremonial attire. The crimson robes, highlighted with subtle golden embroidery and a fur-lined mozzetta, denote his high rank within the Catholic hierarchy. The cardinal is portrayed with a dignified expression, holding a biretta, a square cap traditionally worn during formal Church ceremonies.
The elegant drapery of his robes and the intricate lace detailing of the rochet add depth and movement to the composition, evoking the grandeur and solemnity of ecclesiastical traditions.
Historical Context: Choir dress, as depicted in this lithograph, is reserved for liturgical functions and public ceremonies, signifying the cardinal’s pivotal role in guiding the faithful. This plate captures the ceremonial opulence of 19th-century ecclesiastical attire, reflecting the era's devotion to tradition and artistry.
Provenance: Published in Paris by L’Aubert and Lemoine, this piece is part of an iconic series documenting the ceremonial and daily attire of the Roman Catholic clergy. The work provides a vivid window into the splendor of the Church’s visual traditions during the 19th century.
An exceptional acquisition for collectors of religious iconography, costume studies, and fine lithography.
Bartele Gallery. Original antique maps, sea charts, engravings and works on paper. This is a plain text rendering of a page that is otherwise built in the browser. The catalogue index is at https://www.bartele.net/catalogue and machine readable notes are at https://www.bartele.net/llms.txt.