The so-called Dalmatic of Charlemagne in the Vatican
Held in the Treasury Museum of the Vatican Basilica, the so-called Dalmatic of Charlemagne is a cloth originating from the Byzantine Empire. It is neitheir originally a dalmatic and was also never worn by Charlemagne. It is actually a more recent work, that some scholars date from the 11th Century, and others from the 14th.
Measuring 1,62m high and 1,44m wide, it is made of of a blue silk fabric, decorated with intricate gold and silver thread embroidery. The quality of the work let assume that it was realised in Constantinople as an imperial garment (a sakkos).
Held in the Treasury Museum of the Vatican Basilica, the so-called Dalmatic of Charlemagne is a cloth that originated from the Byzantine Empire. It was reputedly a present to Pope Eugene IV (1431-1444) from the Patriarch of Constantinople.
However, it is neither originally a dalmatic nor was it ever worn by Charlemagne. It is a more recent work, with some scholars dating it to the 11th century and others to the 14th. Made of blue silk fabric and decorated with intricate gold and silver thread embroidery, the quality of the work suggests that it was made in Constantinople as an imperial garment (a sakkos).
The apostles are depicted on the shoulders.
The back of the garment features a depiction of the Transfiguration of Christ on Mount Tabor which holds great significance in the Eastern Church and is associated with the concept of theosis or “divinisation.” In contrast, this event is not as emphasized in the Western Church.
On the contrary, the front of the garment portrays the Second Coming of Christ, shown surrounded by the chosen ones for salvation. It is the antetype of the Transfiguration, giving the work an eschatological meaning.
In 1889, the first woman to be admitted to study arts and crafts at the Escuela de la Lonja in Barcelona, Emilia Coranty de Guasch, received a grant to continue her studies in Rome. There, she created a copy of the so-called Dalmatic of Charlemagne, which is preserved at St. Peter’s Basilica. Due to her unique interest in woven fabrics, the Prado Museum in Madrid now holds a replica of the dalmatic as an oil on canvas painting, which is digitally reproduced here.
