Blog | HPRG The Art of Embroidery in the Middle Ages exhibition at the Cluny Museum until 20th January 2020 – Hotels Paris Rive Gauche Blog

The Art of Embroidery in the Middle Ages exhibition at the Cluny Museum until 20th January 2020

The Cluny Museum, super close to our hotels, has opened a new exhibition about the luxurious embroideries of the Middle Ages, created using silk, gold and silver thread.

Exposition L’art en broderie au Moyen Âge au Musée de Cluny jusqu'au 20 janvier 2020
© RMN-Grand Palais (musée de Cluny – musée national du Moyen-Âge)

In the Middle Ages, owning embroidery or wearing embroidered clothing showed you had a certain social status. These objects were often so precious that they were used for trade or barter.

The Cluny Museum has one of the most prestigious collections of embroidery from the 12th-16th centuries, and this new exhibition looks at important examples from the main centres of production, not only in France but also England, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.

Certain pieces are freshly-restored and shown with newly-designed lighting, meaning you’ll be able to appreciate them in the best possible conditions.

Exposition L’art en broderie au Moyen Âge au Musée de Cluny jusqu'au 20 janvier 2020

Linked with the exhibition, there are embroidery workshops for children aged 8 to 12. These are at 10.30am on 26th & 30 December, and the 2nd & 8th January (at 2.30pm for the last date).

Guided visits for adults are available on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and family visits are on offer at 2.30pm on the 27th November, 27th December, and the 3rd & 15th January.

A catalogue of the exhibition is also available (144 pages, 130 illustrations, 30€ here at amazon.fr).

Exposition L’art en broderie au Moyen Âge au Musée de Cluny jusqu'au 20 janvier 2020
© RMN-Grand Palais (musée de Cluny – musée national du Moyen-Âge)

The exhibition L’art en broderie au Moyen Âge (The Art of Embroidery in the Middle Ages) is at the Cluny Museum (here) until 20th January 2020

Open every day except Tuesdays from 9.15am-5.45pm. Closed 25th December and 1st January

Admission: 9€ / 7€

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To read the press release for the museum (with some English), simply click the ‘fullscreen’ button at the bottom right of the image below.