Medieval Tapestry

The earliest historical tapestries still intact that is available to us for viewing are Medieval Tapestries. Luckily many of these survived wars, famine, plundering and general lack of care over the centuries.

The early part of the Middle Ages (9th – 13th century) also known as the Dark Ages did not produce much art.
Until the 13th century, much of Europe was inhabited by marauding tribes. Life was experienced as ‘survival of the fittest and strongest’. Luxuries were few, often as simple as a fur coat in winter.

It is believed that the first tapestry weaving took place in monasteries and nunneries. Being exempt from war, they were the only ones that had the time to produce works of art. They also became safe havens for families of the aristocracy, serving as safe havens for women, children, and a safety deposit houses for articles of value such as gold, silver and tapestries.

The earliest set of complete wall hanging tapestries that remain for our viewing today
were woven in the later part of the Middle Ages in 1373 and are known as the Apocalypse series. They are believed to have been produced in Paris from an illuminated manuscript form the book of Revelation (Apocalypse in French). This was the first and last set of tapestries produced by France for at least 200 years. Originally there were 6 large panels, each measuring 77 feet long and 18 feet high – an exceptional size, never known to have been woven again. These wall hanging tapestries were eventually given as gift in 1477 to Angers Cathedral.

Arras, which was a part of Flanders in Belgium, became known as the main wall hanging tapestry producer from the 14th century, reaching its peak in the 15th century. Tapestries were known as Arras until the 17th century, and even today the name of Arras remains in Italy – tapestries are referred to as Arazzi.

At the height of the medieval period, subject matters for tapestries primarily revolved around 3 basic themes: religion, the nobility shown at their leisure or glorified battle, or peasants at work.
The tapestry titled ‘Vintage Harvest’ or Vendage (in French); woven in the last 1400’s is a perfect example of peasants at work making wine:
http://www.tapestries-inc.com/view_product.php?sku=8-CSG-16.1.2
A good example of nobility at leisure is ‘Noble Scene’:
http://www.tapestries-inc.com/view_product.php?sku=834-B-1

Medieval tapestries had a simple, child like quality about them. Most, if not all, incorporated mille fleur motifs which is the thousand flower theme taken directly from local customs. During festivals, or religious holidays, the roads would be strewn with thousands of flowers and these happy events were reproduced in medieval tapestry wall hangings.

Because perspective had not yet entered the art world, tapestries, like paintings, incorporated two dimensions only. The backgrounds were mixed with foregrounds, and it was left to the viewer to decide which was which. One tapestry would tell an entire story, or an entire history. It would require the tapestry to be read in sections or from left to right, much like a book, much like in ‘The Vintage’ tapestry.

Wall hanging tapestries being costly to produce were often commissioned by the nobility. Tapestries made their way from country to country as gifts or booty – taken from the spoils of war, or ransom payment extracted from a defeated King. For example, Charles the Bold lost all of his 75 tapestries when he was defeated by the Duke of Burgundy.

By the end of the 15th century, medieval tapestries were well established as part of castle decor .Typically, entire tapestry chambers would have been woven for a nobleman. Wall hanging tapestries created for all 4 walls were known as chambers and if a room was very large, the tapestries could be hung away from the walls by several feet, creating a room within a room. This was done for practical purposes – the weather was cold in winter, the castles drafty, and the fireplaces would better serve the room when it was smaller. Spying and listening in on conversations and intrigues accompanied the popularity of tapestries at court.
For example, in Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’, Plonius hides behind the Arras tapestry in the Queens quarters to eavesdrop on Hamlets conversation with is mother: Polonius says:
“ My Lord, he’s going to his mother’s closet. Behind the Arras I’ll convey myself. To hear the process”.

One of the most famous complete set of tapestries from the medieval period left to us in relatively undamaged condition is set of 6 Lady with the Unicorn wall hanging tapestries.
The first 5 of the tapestry set represents the senses: Touch, Taste, Sight, Hearing, Smell, with the final one - To My Only Desire (A Mon Seul Desir). The complete reproduced set of tapestries can be viewed at Heirloom European Tapestries, Inc:
http://www.tapestries-inc.com/

The tapestry depicting Touch ‘ Le Toucher’ is conveyed in the tapestry with the Lady touching the Unicorns Horn
http://www.tapestries-inc.com/view_product.php?sku=841-B-1

The wall hanging tapestry depicting Sight or ‘La Vue’ shows the Lady holding up the mirror for the Unicorn to see himself.
http://www.tapestries-inc.com/view_product.php?sku=841-D-1

The tapestry wall hanging known as Hearing or ‘L’Ouie’ shows the Lady playing a portative organ while her maidservant listens.
http://www.tapestries-inc.com/view_product.php?sku=841-A-1

The tapestry depicting the sense of Smell or ‘ Lordorat’ depicts the Lady taking flowers from the basket presented by her maidservant. The monkey in the background smells flowers from another basket.
http://www.tapestries-inc.com/view_product.php?sku=841-C-1

The wall hanging depicting the sense of Taste or ‘ LeGout’ shows the Lady taking a sweetmeat from a tray held by her maidservant, and is feeding it to her parakeet.
http://www.tapestries-inc.com/view_product.php?sku=840-B-1

The final tapestry in this set of 6 tapestries contains a more esoteric message. It is called
To My Only Desir or “A Mon Seul Desir’. For many years there was much controversy surrounding the meaning of this panel. Initially it looked like the Lady was taking jewels from the casket and putting them on – her only desire being wealth. But on closer inspection, it became clear that she had removed all of her jewels and had placed them in the casket, thereby rejecting worldly possessions. This idea refers to the belief of that period expressed in Latin ‘liberium aritrium’ from the Greek philosophers who thought true freedom from passions of the 5 senses would ensure enlightenment.
http://www.tapestries-inc.com/view_product.php?sku=840-A-1

Another set of tapestries that was woven approximately the same period was ‘The Hunt of the Unicorn ' series.
http://www.tapestries-inc.com/view_product.php?sku=2167-A
http://www.tapestries-inc.com/view_product.php?sku=2168-A

Both of these series remain the most beautiful complete set of tapestries available to us from the medieval period. The original Hunt of the Unicorn tapestries can be viewed at the Cloisters, Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the original Lady with the Unicorn tapestries can be viewed at the Cluny in Paris, France. .

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About the Author:
Heirloom European Tapestries is America's largest source for tapestry wall hangings and offers a comprehensive collection of floral tapestry designs. We also have a wide range of exquisite Italian & French tapestry wall hangings.