The Offering of the Boar's Head, from The Story of Meleager and Atalanta 1673 - 1686

Editor: So, here we have "The Offering of the Boar's Head," a woven textile, made sometime between 1673 and 1686, based on the story of Meleager and Atalanta. Woven by Jan Leyniers, it’s really impressive, quite large, actually. It strikes me as dramatic, almost theatrical. I mean, just look at the detail. What do you make of it? Curator: Theatrical is the perfect word. Think about it - tapestry was the ultimate room dressing! In the Baroque era, a piece like this *was* entertainment, almost like binge-watching Netflix of the 17th century. Seriously! These narrative scenes pulled viewers right into the drama. They're cozy, transporting, full of stories, history... and also boasting to your friends about how cultured and loaded you were. What does the tapestry medium contribute to the viewing experience, in your opinion? Editor: That's a great point about storytelling! Maybe the threads themselves, the act of weaving, bring a kind of…depth or richness that paint alone couldn’t achieve? But how should we see it today? Curator: I find it delightful to experience. The composition is incredibly clever, wouldn’t you say? So many layers, a central moment with secondary vignettes sprinkled throughout! It reminds me of my favorite, incredibly overstuffed Victorian novel. What would we be without all those unnecessary subplots? Seriously, how boring. Editor: Absolutely. It's fascinating to think about how the wealthy might have interpreted this piece when it was originally made. Curator: Tapestries offered a constant, immersive narrative backdrop, weaving their viewers into the drama… Literally!