(Château d’Angers)
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The so-called “tapisseries du Logis de Gouverneur” were probably conceived well after their cousins at the Château d’Angers, the “tapisseries de l’Apocalypse.” The tapestries shown here depict daily scenes of élite court life in Angers and elsewhere in the west. This tapestry is entitled “Woman at an Organ.” (Unfortunately, digital reproduction does not do justice to the subtleties of the fabric.) |
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A depiction of the “verdure of Audenarde” – now called Oudenaarde – in western Belgium on the Scheldte River. Then, as now, it was a center for the manufacture of textiles, including tapestries. |
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Another depiction of the “verdure of Audenarde.” |
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Penthesilea, the daughter of Ares and Otrere, was a favorite theme in the medieval mythology. According to Homeric legend, the Amazon Queen fought alongside the Trojans in the eponymous war in order to avenge the death of Hektor. Achilles slew her, but mourned her death. Typically Penthesilea is depicted with one bared breast. |
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A representation of the Benediction of Jacob, the favorite of Rebecca. Though Esau was first-born, he would trade away his rights to Jacob (for a mere trifling meal); this bargain, however, would not be legitimate without the blessing of Isaac, their father – hence the benediction depicted above, which amounted to a deception of the aged and blind Isaac. (See the Book of Genesis, 25:19-34.) |
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A depiction of the “verdure of Notre-Dame des Ardilliers.” Charlemagne was to build a monastery in the Saumur region that was subsequently destroyed by the Normans. Only the statue of Our Lady remains. |