The Falconers 1435 - 1445

This tapestry, whose maker is unknown, shows an aristocratic hunting party amidst a verdant, flowering landscape. The central motif, the falcon, held proudly on the falconer’s wrist, speaks of status, leisure, and a complex relationship between man and nature. The falcon motif echoes through time. We can see it soaring in ancient Egyptian art, where Horus, the falcon-headed god, symbolizes protection and divine power. Later, in medieval Europe, falconry became an aristocratic pastime, a visual language of nobility and control. This image, however, presents an intriguing psychological tension: the hunter masters the bird, yet the bird embodies freedom. It is a dance of power and desire, resonating with the subconscious human yearning to transcend earthly limitations. Note the cyclical progression—from deity, to symbol of nobility, to the modern-day emblem of luxury brands. The falcon persists, transformed yet still carrying echoes of its ancient power.