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.Photo Search Engines
Seo Tool Nepal
Digital Monitoring Products
What Are The Best Affiliate Programs With Clickbank
Business Web Site Marketing Specialty
Design Marketing Research Site Web
Ways To Make Money Online Loan
Lead For Affiliate Program
Website Design Make Money Online Learn How To Collect Credit
Internet Marketing Strategy Taiwan
Website Promotion Submit Web Site To Search Engines
Blow Clickbank Away
System Link Software Digital Monitoring Products
Best Network Marketing
Pay Per Click Ppc Search Engines Reviews
Make Easy Money At Home Loan
Instant Online Business 0 Interest Credit Card Services
Affiliate Making Money Net Program Webmasters
Engine Marketing Optimization Search Site
Make Money At Home Surveys
Business Opportunity Work At Home Make Money
Search Engine Optimization Submission
Stereo Ebooks
Work At Home Business Opportunity From Solid Company
Science Search Engines
Instruction In Seo Marketing
Yoni Blogger
Adsense Ebook Google Adwords Http
Business Home Marketing Mlm Network
Davenet How To Make Money On The Internet Loan
Web Design Weesign Website Flash Seo Marketing
Internet Opportunity Passive Income Home Based Business
Auctioneo Blogging Ebay Auction News And Strateg
Online Marketing Home Based Business
Webmaster Freebies
Free Bingo Money Start Off
Based Business Dvd Free Home Income Marketing Money
Seo Promotion Software Engine Strategy Search
Advantage On Internet Business Internet Marketing Seo Online
Search Engine Submission And Optimization
Insurance Affiliate Program
Make Money Online With Computer
79 Diet Pills Not Mlm Or Multi Level Network Marketing
Google Adsense Affiliate Review
Good Search Engines
Search Engines International
Per Click Promotion Marketing Strategy Pay Ppc
Affiliate Doctor Online Pharmacy Program
Seo Seo Ebooks Search Engine Optimization Seo Soft
Based Business Home Internet Make Money Online That Wil
Make Money Writing
Pay Per Click Search Engine Softwar
Blogger Brain Injury
Seo Search Engine Marketing Aguascalientes
Internet Mammothconglomeratescom Marketing Promotion Seo
What Is Page Rank
How To Make Big Money At Home
Make Money At Home Free Online Home Based Business
Internet Marketing Seo Cape Verde
Money Cash Dollar Make Tjana Pengar Snabbt Fast Easy Online
Dental Internet Web Site Marketing
Easy Ways For Youth To Make Money
Blogging Private Equity Deals
Horse Racing Parenting Clickbank Marketplace
Pay Per Click Websites Software
The Best Ways To Make Money Online
Apply Online For Business Credit Cards
Korea Marketing Mlm Network
Best Best Earn Extra Money At Home Online
Business Internet
Internet Marketing Software Strategy
Paid To Blog Blogging Earn Money Online
Make Money On Ebay Auction
Blogger Tools
Strategy Internet Marketing Plan Incorporating Your Business
Search Engine Submission Web Site Promotion Seo Se
Web Site Marketing Plan
Keyword Search Engine Submission For Pay Per Click
Google Pay Per Click Software
Consulting Internet Marketing Seo Services Stream
Free Make Money At Home
Exchange Link Seo Tool Effective Search Engine Optimization
Earn Money Online Survey Credit
Free Money No Deposit Casinos
Seo Search Engine Marketing Nepal
Make Money On The Internet 3
Ways To Make Extra Money Online
Free Ways To Make Money At Home Credit
Create Web Site Online Way To Make Fast Money Horse
Can A Person Really Make Money Taking Surveys Online
Expired Domain Affiliate Programs
Search Engine Optimization Specialist Internet Marketing Seo
Affiliate Internet Marketing Personal Programs Publishing
Doing Make Money Online Survey
Web Site Promotion Site Submission Seo Software
New Mlm Companies Network Marketing
How To Make Money Online Immediatel
Internet Based Business Work At Home 30kamonth Net
Free Money Help
Free Home Based Business Free Internet Access
