Tapijt met de wapens van Rogier de Beaufort, Turenne en De Comminges (fragment) c. 1376 - 1378

This tapestry fragment presents an intricate, repeating pattern dominated by heraldic imagery, executed in wool with dimensions of approximately 221.5 by 210 centimeters. The structure is immediately striking, employing a diamond grid that entraps and displays coats of arms, figures on horseback, and winged creatures. The organization of these elements is not haphazard; rather, it suggests a sophisticated understanding of semiotics, where each symbol likely represents specific noble lineages. The repetition and symmetry destabilize the singular importance of any one heraldic symbol, instead creating a visual language that speaks to alliances, power dynamics, and possibly challenges to established hierarchies. Notice how the anonymous artist uses texture to differentiate between the figures, the architecture, and the background. This formal quality enhances the tapestry’s visual complexity and its ability to function not just as decoration, but as a discourse on status, memory, and the fluid nature of identity.