Looking for a medieval tapestry to decorate your home?
Then have a look at these ideas here.
With a tapestry wall hanging in the medieval theme, a very evocative effect can be achieved.
Why?
Medieval art reflects on an age in which romanticism and an idealism of life that also brings forth ideas of fantasy.
These wall hangings depict life in the Middle Ages in a variety of styles and artists.
1. Based On Literature Of The Middle Ages
There are some wonderful tapestries set to literature set in the medieval period.
Life and romanticism in the middle ages and times of Arthurian legends are abound in works such as The Accolade by Pre-Raphaelite, Edmund Blair Leighton (1853 – 1922).
Here, they depict life in the royal households and the lands beyond with as masterful use of light and detail:
See Medieval Tapestry: The Accolade here
His other works include the Godspeed tapestry, and the Call To Arms tapestry.
The inspiration for his works are the medieval period.
The insights that he provides into life in the royal court during the medieval period are impressive, as is his details to the costumes, the architecture and other details of daily life.
Leighton’s style of realism combined with romanticism portrays this period of time with elegance and rare beauty.
There is also the famous “La Belle Dame Sans Merci“, the famous poem by John Keats.
Here is one version of the La Belle Dame Sans Merci tapestry:
See La Belle Dame Sans Merci Here
This poem tells of the mysterious fair Lady who entices a knight to her grotto to enchant him with a spell.
He is beguiled by her beauty and when deep in the woods is spellbound by the mysterious fair lady.
This work with a medieval theme reflects the style of artists such as John William Waterhouse and Sir Francis Dicksee in the 19th century.
The art here is evocative, keeps the medieval feel and is portrayed in a romantic way.
2. Based On Designs From The Middle Ages
Some medieval tapestries are based on designs which originated from the Middle Ages.
These include the Emperor Maximilien tapestry:
The tapestries from the medieval period depict life of royalty and provide valuable insights into the life and past times of the period.
The arrivals and departures of kings, all is shown in their unique medieval style.
Life in the medieval period was a mixture of development of skills in hunting and combat, as well as increasing use of agriculture and the fine arts.
This is reflected in the works from this time.
Some examples include works of Grapes Harvest Vendanges tapestry, Wine Merchants, and John VIII Palaelogus tapestry:
See ‘John VIII Palaelogus’ wall hanging here
We also can see depictions of daily life of villagers and people who lived through the middle ages.
Daily activities include the harvest of grapes.
As an example, we see a scene of grapes harvest and wine making in the countryside in Grapes Harvest Vendanges tapestry:
Here the villagers are harvesting grapes, producing wine in large vats and having their work looked over by a couple of royalty.
The making of wine and the process of this is recorded and captured in these designs.
These tapestries are as much a historical record and story as well as gorgeous art in itself.
Another example of medieval life is Gift of the Heart tapestry:
Here we see a couple of courtiers in the countryside in a romantic setting.
The man is seen passing a gift to the woman, accompanied by her pet dog and some forest rabbits.
The mille fleur backdrop is characteristic of art in this period.
3. Tapestries Based On Arthurian Legends
Some tapestries show the tales and legends of King Arthur.
The story of the Knights of the Round Table and Arthur can be seen in tapestry art by William Morris.
Morris and Co’s works were in the industrial age, but many of his pieces referred to stories and legends from medieval periods including the works related to King Arthur, Guinevere, Merlin and the famous knights.
See the tapestries based on works by Morris and Co include pieces such as The Round Table tapestry, Deer and Shields tapestry, and The Holy Grail tapestry:
Here we see a scene of knights preparing for their quest for the Holy Grail, accompanied by their ladies when they were about to depart.
Morris created several works based on these medieval legends and show an intricate style that was very distinctive.
His works are from the Victorian era which reflected the themes from the Middle Ages.
4. Unicorn Wall Tapestries
Unicorn tapestries also reflected the medieval period.
These works created in this era explored the beauty of this mystical creature in the Lady and the Unicorn or the Hunt of the Unicorn settings.
An example of the medieval unicorn tapestry is the Portiere Unicorn tapestry:
Unicorn tapestries depict the legendary creature of the unicorn, and are inspired by original works from the Middle Ages, and include works from the times of Louis XI and from tales and legends from the 1400s.
Here we see a detail from the Lady and the Unicorn series from the 16th century from circa 1511.
The unicorn is seen here with a cape of the Le Viste family in a forest setting where the Lady is with her pet dogs, and forest rabbits.
The works here are romantic yet include a sense of mystery and enchantment that is part of the allure of the medieval period.
5. Bayeaux Tapestries
Now we also have the Bayeaux Tapestries showing the historical scenes of the Battle of Hastings from 1066.
For example, here is the Guillaume Le Conquerant tapestry:
Here we see the men of King Harold riding to the coast with his hounds in a flurry of activity.
This work was originally commissioned by Bishop Odo, William’s half-brother.
These tapestries based on the originals are a testament to the art of the times, with their distinctive style.
Again, so beautiful and a record of history at the same time.
Medieval tapestry art depict life in the medieval period can originate from the time of the Middle Ages or is an interpretation of that time from artists later in time.
Have a room or home you want to decorate with medieval decor?
Then the warmth and feeling of medieval art in your room or home can provide this for you.
It provides visual interest, an epic story to allude to or simply a piece of art which you and your friends and family will admire.
So for an wonderful statement that few other works can compare, have medieval tapestries to turn your home into a work of art.
See all Medieval Tapestries here.