Many of the best known works such as the 'Lady with the Unicorn' series were woven at the turn of the 15th century in France.
Tapestries became status symbols with the aristocracy in the Middle Ages. They also had a practical use, providing insulation for castle walls, covering openings and giving privacy around beds. Kings and nobles took them on their travels from castle to castle for reasons of comfort and prestige. Tapestries often changed hands after battle, and since the victor's door and window openings might be a different size the acquired hangings might be cut up or even joined to other tapestries.
The most popular medieval images were Biblical stories, myths, allegories such as the unicorn series, and nobles hunting.
The Weavers
An estimated that 15,000 people were employed in the art of the tapestry during the 15th century. Many of these workers passed on their skills from father to son. Weaving tapestry was a laborious process: to create the typical little flowers on a typical French tapestry (“mille fleurs”) would take a skilled father/son team two months to weave one square foot of tapestry. Medieval weavers extracted their dyes from plants and insects in a range of less than twenty colors.
Medieval weavers worked from sketches by artists (called “cartoons”) and to this date, some tapestries are reproductions of paintings rather than independent works of art. In 1515 Raphael was commissioned by the Pope to paint the 'Acts of the Apostles' for the Sistine Chapel, was later worked into a tapestry.
Four Steps to Creating a Tapestry
1. Creation: The first work is the creation. This work consists in the "mise en carte" the detailed drawing of the motif. Indeed, working from a medieval or contemporary design, the creator has to transcribe the colours and contours for the weaving. Which will be possible only after this work of " mise en carte".
2. Warping: Production starts in the warping workshop. It is the weaving preparation. Thousands of dyed threads are winded on enormous reels or rollers. These threads will form the warp of the tapestry. The warper arranges the various coloured threads, side by side, in a set order. Surrounded by a multitude of reels, the first foreman, whose eye is riveted on his machine, knows each thread and allots it to its place according to the motif. It is a work of patience on which depends the result of the tapestry.
3. Weaving: The tapestry is the result of the intersection (or interlacing) of two kinds of threads: warp threads laid out lengthways (warping)and weft threads laid out crossways (weaving) The warp and the weft will interlace each other, and the design will take life.
4. Finished State: Tapestries may also have an border which is woven independently. This replicates the look of a painting and emphasizes the tapestry design.
The tapestries are lined with a cotton fabric and a rod pocket is added to the back of each tapestry: eyelets and a rod-pocket where a rod can be inserted to hang on the wall.
Today’s Tapestries: Art Made Affordable
Original antique tapestry pieces can range from a few thousand dollars to over $200,000 for large high quality Renaissance pieces, but thanks to modern technology, automated looms can produce affordable tapestries that fit everyone’s budget.
In today’s tapestry industry, permission is obtained by the weaving company from the artist’s or estate to produce a limited number of tapestries of a particular painting. This enables collectors to own a piece of art that may not be affordable or up for sale. As an example, a tapestry of the priceless Mona Lisa can be purchased for under $1,000.
If you are interested in owning affordable art for your home, take a look at what The Tapestree has to offer! We offer free shipping within the US and offer exceptional service and products!
