Procession of the Fat Ox from a Teniers Series c. 1725

This tapestry, 'Procession of the Fat Ox,' was made in the workshop of Daniel IV Leyniers, and would have been woven in wool and silk. Look closely, and you’ll notice the image is built up through countless tiny knots of dyed yarn. This isn't painting or printing, it's a slow, methodical process. Tapestries like these were incredibly labor-intensive, often taking months or even years to complete. The weavers transformed a design into a tangible object through a highly skilled tradition that combines artistry, technical know-how, and a deep understanding of materials. Weaving had an inherent social dimension: workshops producing pieces like this would have been staffed by dozens of artisans working collaboratively. The finished work would have represented a substantial investment of time and resources, destined for a wealthy client to display their power.