The Crusaders Reach Jerusalem (from a set of Scenes from Gerusalemme Liberata) 1684 - 1739

Curator: Domenico Paradisi created this tapestry between 1684 and 1739. It’s titled "The Crusaders Reach Jerusalem," and it’s part of a series of scenes from Gerusalemme Liberata. Editor: Whoa, that’s quite the heroic entrance! Talk about making a statement—it’s like, "We’re here, and we've got horses!" The colors feel both grand and a little faded, like a story being told through generations. Curator: Exactly. Tapestries of this era often served that purpose – storytelling writ large. The figures are, as you note, arranged for maximum dramatic effect. Notice the densely packed Crusaders, spears held high, juxtaposed with the somewhat subdued depiction of Jerusalem in the background. Editor: It's interesting, isn't it? The holy city almost seems secondary, a backdrop to the display of military might. Are we meant to focus on the triumph of the Crusaders, or question the cost of that triumph? Look at those almost caricatured faces…they look like Roman emperors, very conscious of appearances! Curator: The symbols definitely lean heavily into power. Horses always equal strength and authority. The flags, the armor…Paradisi is invoking a very specific visual language of dominance and, you're right, he seems conscious of past images. You’ve got echoes of Roman Triumphs there and the biblical "triumphant entry into Jerusalem" stories – like the past legitimizing the present. Editor: That totally rings true. It is interesting to contemplate what symbols resonate and which ones seem stuck in old memory...But, as a viewer, I find it hard to ignore the fact that it’s woven! The tactile quality, all those interwoven threads—it adds this layer of warmth, making the historical drama strangely…approachable? Or at least making me think about how long this work took to make and why! Curator: Indeed. The material itself tells a story. This wasn't mass-produced; it was painstakingly crafted. Each thread contributes to the larger narrative, like individual acts of devotion culminating in a grand crusade. This is a celebration but there's also deep devotion here. Editor: Well, devotion makes people do crazy things, good and bad...So, here’s a bit of that human paradox beautifully woven into threads and colors and war! Curator: Absolutely! The weight of history and devotion – a fitting perspective to carry with us.