Allegorical -Millefleurs- Tapestry with Animals by Anonymous

Allegorical -Millefleurs- Tapestry with Animals c. 1530 - 1545

silk, textile, wool

natural stone pattern

naturalistic pattern

silk

loose pattern

textile

wool

geometric pattern

abstract pattern

organic pattern

repetition of pattern

intricate pattern

pattern repetition

layered pattern

This large-scale tapestry, known as a millefleurs (meaning "thousand flowers"), depicts a lush garden teeming with diverse flora and fauna. Created in the 16th century, the tapestry features a variety of animals, including a unicorn, deer, lion, and various birds, all set against a background of intricate floral patterns. The rich, jewel-toned colors and the detailed weaving technique showcase the skill of anonymous weavers, contributing to the overall aesthetic of this monumental work. This tapestry, now housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, exemplifies the artistry and craftsmanship of the tapestry makers during the Renaissance period.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Millefleurs (thousand-flower) tapestries became popular in the late Middle Ages. Some contained flowers only; others, like this one, included animals and birds. Pictured here are common animals such as deer and rabbits as well as exotic creatures like the lion, leopard, and unicorn. They are symbolic as well as decorative. The unicorn, for example, represents either Christ or the Virgin Mary. The three clumps of rosebushes forming a triangle, allude to the Trinity (God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), while the barking hound (lower left) and wild falcon (top right) stand for the Devil or other evil forces. Tapestries were costly items, requiring much time and skill to produce. Often several weavers worked together on a single tapestry, each completing about one square yard a month. Some weavers specialized in features such as architectural elements or foliage. The master weaver, who supervised the project, wove the most difficult areas.