A stunning needlework copy of one of the tapestries in the Lady & the Unicorn cycle, let this artistic achievement and work of art bring a flair of Old World charm to your space.
The original tapestry, from which this needlework copy is rendered, is known to history as L'Odorat or Smell in the sequence of senses explored by the cycle of tapestries, and was likely originally commissioned by a member of the prominent Le Viste family (though scholars disagree on which member and at what time, precisely, dating its creation to roughly 1500) at the French court. It was woven in Flanders out of silk and wool, from "cartoons" designed in Paris. Mark DeVitis, in his treatise upon these exquisite fifteenth century works, notes that scholars "now (generally) agree that [the tapestries] present a meditation on earthly pleasures and courtly culture, offered through an allegory of the senses."
We meet our heroine upon center stage, knitting together a wreath of flowers. Her lady-in-waiting, also gorgeously attired, offers an array of floral possibilities. On either side, the ladies are flanked by a lion and a unicorn, each holding aloft a pennant and wearing an armorial shield, backed by aromatic fruit trees. Interestingly, in the medieval version, a monkey perches upon a stool in the background, curiously sniffing a blossom -- and informing the viewer of the allegry here at play, but while the basket of flowers he investigates remains in this version, the curious little creature himself does not appear. Instead, a rabbit hovers nearby, but does not seem much preoccupied in sniffing.
Interestingly, the creator of this small-scale copy has lovingly augmented the rendering of the faces and hands with embroidery, to further emphasize the features, a technique similar to that which would have been undertaken centuries ago by the original creators, as well. While following the theme of the previous L'Odorat in most ways, the artist here has taken liberties, such as shifting the format from vertical to horizontal length and shifting the size of the trees, making the work entirely their own. In this way, the work serves both as a copy of a famous work of art as well as an original work of art in its own right.
See the last picture to compare to the medieval tapestry now housed at the Cluny Museum in Paris. Please note this is a genuine vintage item and bears the marks of its age.
Available for pick up at our physical location in Buckeystown, Maryland.