Pair of large Halluin tapestries the Lady with the Unicorn : the Touch - the View 105 x 130 cm

20th century
Renaissance style
DELIVERY
From: 47140, TRENTELS, France

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    Pair of large tapestries in Halluin stitch from the series The Lady with the Unicorn : The Sight and the Touch
    Quality of execution of a very great finesse
    Horizontal
    Big dimension h : 105 cm
    width : 130 cm
    Very fresh colors
    Lined with light grey fabric
    Authenticity label on the back
    Woven in France
    20th century
    Mounted at the top with solid metal tabs for easy hanging
    Very good condition : no wear
    For information:
    The tapestry "the touch" is from the series of the Lady of the Unicorn. On this hanging, the sense of touch is put forward.
    Framed by the lion and the unicorn, the Lady holds in one hand the horn and the other the staff. It is this contrast between delicacy and firmness that gives the piece its meaning. Despite this, the Lady shows a certain modesty by turning away from the animal. The most surprising thing about this tapestry is the lack of symmetry, even if it is restored by the presence of the Lady in the center. It is in fact the Lady who makes the link between the different planes: the unicorn in the first and the staff in the third. The artist does not create a perspective. The trees are simply aligned and create a parallel with the staff. The light is caught by the velvet dress of the Lady which reveals the ermine lining on the side.

    The tapestry "the view" depicts the seated Lady presenting a mirror to the Unicorn. The unicorn, this mythical animal symbol of purity, was so wild and so fast that no one could take it. Only a young, candid and virginal girl could approach it.

    The hanging known as The Lady of the Unicorn is a composition of six tapestries from the early 16th century. A masterpiece of the early Renaissance, it is kept in Paris at the Musée de Cluny.
    These are millefleurs tapestries that use the same elements on each piece: on an island dotted with animals and flowers in foliage planted with clumps of plants where the color blue contrasts with the red or pink background, a young woman poses, dressed in velvet and rich brocade, sometimes accompanied by a follower and other animals, surrounded by heraldic emblems, a lion to her right, and a unicorn to her left. The reproduction of the draperies, their shimmering and their transparencies, is of great finesse.
    In addition to the couple lion - unicorn traditional symbols of courage and purity, the millefleurs is enriched with a bestiary that gives rise to interpretations.
    We see the lamb, a dog, a rabbit and in the Touch a panther. Each species is found in several tapestries.
    The birds are varied. One recognizes in particular a parrot to which the lady of the Taste gives what could be sugared almonds and a magpie above the lady of the Smell, but also the sparrowhawk, the falcon, the heron...
    Each scene is framed by four trees, except the View, which shows only two. One can recognize the foliage or the fruits of the orange tree, the pine, the oak and the holly. Inspired by a German legend, the tapestries were woven in Flanders between 1484 and 1538.
    The style is believed to be that of an illuminator and engraver who worked for Anne of Brittany.
    Five of these representations form an allegory of the five senses symbolized by the occupation in which the Lady indulges:

    Touch: the lady holds the horn of the unicorn in her hand as well as the pole of a standard
    Taste: the lady takes what could be a sugar-coated candy from a cup handed to her by her maid, and offers it to a bird
    Smell: while the lady is making a crown of flowers, a monkey breathes in the scent of a flower, which he has taken
    Hearing: the lady plays a small organ
    Sight : the unicorn contemplates itself in a mirror held by the lady

    Ref: 5OTTG7W7Z5

    Condition Very good
    Style Renaissance style (Tapestry of Renaissance style Style)
    Period 20th century (Tapestry 20th century)
    Country of origin France
    Width (cm) 130 cm
    Height (cm) 105 cm
    Materials Tissue
    Shipping Time Ready to ship in 4-7 Business Days
    Location 47140, TRENTELS, France
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