Unicorn in Captivity

Part of a series commissioned as a wedding gift for Anne of Brittany and Charles VIII in 1491, “Unicorn in Captivity” dates to the 15th century and was produced in France. The series was filled with wonderful medieval symbolism. The series chronicled the Hunt of the Unicorn, or “La Chasse de la Licorne”, as it is formally known. Here, the unicorn has been captured and is enclosed in a pen. In a previous scene, the unicorn is shown dead. The two together portrayed the healing properties associated with unicorns. It is also symbolic of Christ rising from the dead, part of the medieval representations of unicorns. The original series is now housed in The Cloisters Museum in New York City. Wonderfully detailed and finely woven, “Unicorn in Captivity” is lined on the back and has a tunnel for easy hanging.