The Lady and the Unicorn Tapestries
The Lady and the Unicorn tapestries are among the most beautiful and captivating masterpieces of Medieval times. And almost as captivating as the tapestries themselves is their wonderfully chequered history.
These works of art were undiscovered until 1844 when they were found by French dramatist and historian Proper Merimee in Boussac Castle. The novelist Georges Sands brought them to public attention in her novels . Badly damaged by damp, they were bought by the Cluny Museum in Paris in 1853 and restored. They are now displayed in their own circular room at the museum.
The designer and weavers of the Lady and the Unicorn series are unknown but experts estimate they were woven in the late 15th century. It is thought that the series were commissioned by the Le Viste family, of which the head was Jean Le Viste, a nobleman in the court of King Charles VII, as the coat of arms on the standards, including the lion and the unicorn, represented the family.
The decorative floral background of each tapestry is the same. The Mille Fleurs pattern, meaning the thousand flowers is a style most associated with the Bruges and Brussels areas of Flanders in Belgium so it is widely thought that the tapestries were made there.
The beautifully woven tapestries use the Lhalluin weaving techniques with bold colors and intricate detailing. Each tapestry features the same subjects, a beautiful lady and a mythical creature, a unicorn. A lion also appears in each scene. However the theme for each is slightly different. The inclusion of other animals a rabbit, birds, a monkey adds to the world of fantasy and complement the enigmatic images.
The six tapestries are said to represent the five senses taste, hearing, sight, smell and touch with the sixth often interpreted as love.
In the sight tapestry a woman is seen holding a mirror, the ubiquitous unicorn reflected in its glass. The tapestry representing hearing sees the woman playing a musical instrument, the lion and the unicorn standing at either side framing the scene. In the third tapestry the lady is seen taking a piece of candy as a celebration of taste. The lion and the unicorn once again feature, lying on their back. Representing touch, in the fourth tapestry the lady holds the unicorns horn as the lion looks on. In the fifth tapestry we see the lady making a wreath of fresh flowers. The lion and unicorn once again frame the scene whilst a monkey smells one of the flowers demonstrating the theme.
Adorned by the words A Mon Seul Desir meaning to my soul desire, the sixth tapestry in the series is larger than the rest and differs in theme. The tapestry depicts a lady holding a necklace whilst her maidservant holds an open chest. A tent in the image is said to represent the ladys soul desire, which she is about to enter.
Some interpretations see the tapestries as representing virginity, based on an ancient myth that only a pure virgin could tame the unicorn. Others interpretation sees the lady putting the necklace into the chest as a denial of the passions aroused in the other tapestries. Yet another version sees this tapestry as representing a sixth sense of understanding or empathy. The latter explanation is taken from the sermons of Jean Gerson, a lecturer at the University of Paris around 1420.
The mystery surrounding the story of the tapestry has inspired works of literature. Best selling author of Tracy Chevalier, inspired by the layers of symbolic meanings in the series, decided the tapestries would make an ideal subject for a novel. Centering on a young artist man torn between Love and Duty, the story has all the passion and uncertainty of the images themselves. Her colorful and enchanting interpretation of how the tapestries came to be created did justice to the rich, vibrant tapestries.
The original Lady and the Unicorn tapestries are currently displayed in Pariss Musee National du Moyen-Age Thermes de Cluny but reproductions are still being bought today to compliment home dcor. The tapestries, rich in both beauty and history, make unique and creative wall hangings adding a touch of character to every home.
Copyright © The Tapestry House, all rights reserved.
Christine Toner writes on a number of subjects for the Tapestry House including unicorn art.What Is A Webmaster
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These works of art were undiscovered until 1844 when they were found by French dramatist and historian Proper Merimee in Boussac Castle. The novelist Georges Sands brought them to public attention in her novels . Badly damaged by damp, they were bought by the Cluny Museum in Paris in 1853 and restored. They are now displayed in their own circular room at the museum.
The designer and weavers of the Lady and the Unicorn series are unknown but experts estimate they were woven in the late 15th century. It is thought that the series were commissioned by the Le Viste family, of which the head was Jean Le Viste, a nobleman in the court of King Charles VII, as the coat of arms on the standards, including the lion and the unicorn, represented the family.
The decorative floral background of each tapestry is the same. The Mille Fleurs pattern, meaning the thousand flowers is a style most associated with the Bruges and Brussels areas of Flanders in Belgium so it is widely thought that the tapestries were made there.
The beautifully woven tapestries use the Lhalluin weaving techniques with bold colors and intricate detailing. Each tapestry features the same subjects, a beautiful lady and a mythical creature, a unicorn. A lion also appears in each scene. However the theme for each is slightly different. The inclusion of other animals a rabbit, birds, a monkey adds to the world of fantasy and complement the enigmatic images.
The six tapestries are said to represent the five senses taste, hearing, sight, smell and touch with the sixth often interpreted as love.
In the sight tapestry a woman is seen holding a mirror, the ubiquitous unicorn reflected in its glass. The tapestry representing hearing sees the woman playing a musical instrument, the lion and the unicorn standing at either side framing the scene. In the third tapestry the lady is seen taking a piece of candy as a celebration of taste. The lion and the unicorn once again feature, lying on their back. Representing touch, in the fourth tapestry the lady holds the unicorns horn as the lion looks on. In the fifth tapestry we see the lady making a wreath of fresh flowers. The lion and unicorn once again frame the scene whilst a monkey smells one of the flowers demonstrating the theme.
Adorned by the words A Mon Seul Desir meaning to my soul desire, the sixth tapestry in the series is larger than the rest and differs in theme. The tapestry depicts a lady holding a necklace whilst her maidservant holds an open chest. A tent in the image is said to represent the ladys soul desire, which she is about to enter.
Some interpretations see the tapestries as representing virginity, based on an ancient myth that only a pure virgin could tame the unicorn. Others interpretation sees the lady putting the necklace into the chest as a denial of the passions aroused in the other tapestries. Yet another version sees this tapestry as representing a sixth sense of understanding or empathy. The latter explanation is taken from the sermons of Jean Gerson, a lecturer at the University of Paris around 1420.
The mystery surrounding the story of the tapestry has inspired works of literature. Best selling author of Tracy Chevalier, inspired by the layers of symbolic meanings in the series, decided the tapestries would make an ideal subject for a novel. Centering on a young artist man torn between Love and Duty, the story has all the passion and uncertainty of the images themselves. Her colorful and enchanting interpretation of how the tapestries came to be created did justice to the rich, vibrant tapestries.
The original Lady and the Unicorn tapestries are currently displayed in Pariss Musee National du Moyen-Age Thermes de Cluny but reproductions are still being bought today to compliment home dcor. The tapestries, rich in both beauty and history, make unique and creative wall hangings adding a touch of character to every home.
Copyright © The Tapestry House, all rights reserved.
Christine Toner writes on a number of subjects for the Tapestry House including unicorn art.What Is A Webmaster
Top Ways To Make Money On The Internet
Fast In Make Money Property
Search Engine Optimization Specialist
Online Make Fast Cash Money
Chester Blogger
Company Dallas Engine Optimization Search
Seo Copywriting
Advertising Law Firms
Uk Earn Extra Money
North Carolina Internet Marketing Strategy
Bruceclay Com Search Engine Optimization Seo Training Tools
Seo Software Search Engine Optimization Search Engines Free
Business Opportunity Online Home Page
Multi Level Marketing Affiliate Program
Racing Go Kart Affiliate Programs
Related Homeattnet Seo Internet Marketing Resourceshtml
Work From Home Internet Business Opportunity Business Web
Earn Extra Fast Money
Sweden Seo Consultant
Seo Elite
Make Money Online Today Fast
Attorney Marketing Mlm Network
Health Care Marketing Linux Server Hosting Islamic Web Site
Seo Consultant Nauru
Make Money With Online Pharmacy
Work From Home Home Based Business Opportunity Internet Home
Online Business Degrees
Make Quick Cash Money
Business Opportunities Network Marketing
Europe Webmaster Home Business Tools
Blog Adarsh Blogger Recently Article
Full Marketing Service Site Web
Company Web Site Hosting Campaign Click Pay Per Webmaster
Webmaster Make Money
89 Search Engines
Online Marketing Service Internet Home Based Business Home
Money Internet Marketing Business
Employment Search Engines
Earn Money For Survey
Debt Consolidation Blogging
Fashion Layouts For Blogger
Website Search Engine Pay Per Click Service Yolah
Federal Penalty For Spamming
Axxis Advertising
Jobs At Home Make Money Online And
Seo Consultant Increased Search Engine Traffic Affordable
Engine Optimization Search Seo Site Submission Sub
Search Engine Optimization Training
Work At Home Online Homebased Business Opportunity
Blogging Bloggers Highbeam Tools Paying
Ebooks Online
Best Internet Affiliate Programs
Ways To Make Make Money Online
Internet Marketing Opportunity
Good Ways To Make Money
Free Texas Holdem Ebooks
Business Opportunity Home Based Business Online Business
Make Money Online At Home Work From Home On The
Home Based Business Online Web Site Promotional Internet
Network Marketing Of Phone Internet Broadband Service
Clickbank Maclean
Best Marketing Mlm Network
Own Web Site Design And Hosting Webmaster
Work At Home Business Internet
Business Ebay Ecommerce Home Online Shopper
Make Easy Money Online Free
Search Engine Optimization Canada
Marketing Job Online Web Site Promotion Internet Marketing
Earn Money Top Home Based Business Internet Job
Surveys Free Online Work At Home
Free Occult Ebooks To Download
Earn Making Money Online
Business Voip Mlm Network Marketing Msn 1stcommuni
Live Journal Blogging Software
Free Search For Unclaimed Money
Free For Money Online Survey
Explosive Ways To Make Money
Google Adsense Applying Same Site
Business Home Internet Marketing Mlm Network Opportunity
Ways To Make Money In Rose Online
Multiple Affiliate Programs
Ways To Make Free Money
Sew At Home Earn Money
Bingo Free Money Play Real Win
Discover The Simplest Ways To Make Money On The Internet
Blogging The X10 Seminar Google Adwords
Canadian Affiliate Programs
Answered Online Customer Surveys People Business Free Web
Webmaster Ciw Online Training Courses Community College
Advertising Cart Commerce Hosting Shopping Site Web
Online Business College
Online Better Business Bureau
Fast Make Money Online Com Credit
Hispanic Advertising For Orthodontists
Make Money Taking Surveys Online
Adsense Profits Make Money With Adsense Google Ebook Adsense
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Professional Search Engine Optimization Company
