The Beauty of Fine Art Tapestries Friday, Nov 28 2008

For centuries we have enjoyed fine art for its creativity, its beauty and its celebration of human endeavor. It has occupied a privileged place in our scheme of things and even now, in the age of mass production and easy availability, it still occupies a special place in our homes. Conversely textiles have long been a mainstay of the human experience. From basic woven cloth to more elaborate decorative fabrics, they have often been seen as, and used as, an everyday commodity.

Nowadays many people are looking for home décor choices that bring together both of these elements: the versatility of textiles and the appeal of fine art. Wall tapestries are an elegant fusion of these two important strands of the visual arts; a perfect marriage of good taste and tactile luxury. Nowhere is this more evident than in the beauty of fine art tapestries which combine the appeal of elaborate textile design with the refinement of fine art.

Although art based tapestry wall hangings have been with us for centuries recent advances in technology, and a growing appreciation of textiles as something more than just practical objects, have helped fine art textile design to flourish and become an important part of our home décor armory.

Much of this renaissance in wall tapestries stems from their ability to capture the drama and excitement normally only found in canvas based art. With their texture, depth and warmth more and more of us are beginning to reappraise tapestry wall art and are looking toward it to enhance our homes.

An alternative to traditional fine art
In particular people are looking at tapestry wall hangings as a direct alternative to traditional fine art. An impressive range of art prints are available nowadays, some of the most popular being traditional paintings from the old masters; everything from famous classic works to 19th century portraits. More recently stretched canvas prints and reproductions have become popular and affordable, again offering a vast array of options.

Although prints enjoy a unique position in home décor these popular paintings are increasingly available as wall tapestries. The woven nature of wall hangings adds depth and texture to these already impressive works and makes a distinct alternative to framed art. A growing number of works from almost all established art movements; Medieval and Gothic, Renaissance, Neo-Classical, Baroque and Pre-Raphaelite art, amongst many others, are now available as tapestries.

Examples include great Renaissance masterpieces, like Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, or Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam. Both of these, like many works of fine art, transfer well to tapestries and capture the drama and excitement of the originals. In particular great romantic works are very popular. François Boucher’s pastoral art from the 17th century was amongst the first style to be transferred from canvas to textiles. These have been persistently popular for three centuries and, due to the success of tapestries capturing the subtlety of fine art, continue to impress audiences now with their depth, color and seemingly effortless skill.

Floral and still life art tapestries
Another popular form of traditional art found in tapestries is floral art. Long since a staple in painting movements, floral still life’s have always enjoyed a strong following amongst art lovers. The combination of the range of styles available in floral art combined with the texture of woven textiles is proving tempting to many art lovers. Many well-known still life artists from history, such as Corneille van Spaendonck and Severin Roesen from the 19th century, have had their original works successfully make the jump from traditional mediums to tapestry wall hangings.

Echoing this is the demand for still life art tapestries. The range of still life art, encompassing a broad palette of subjects, colors and textures makes them an ideal basis for art based wall tapestries. With their ability to capture vivid hues and warm tones, wall tapestries often do an impressive job of capturing the essence of this ever popular branch of fine art.

Artists such as Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gaugin are famous examples of still life artists whose work has made the transition from canvas to tapestries. Their distinctive work blends well with the weft of textiles, adding an extra dimension to the already vivid compositions. Less well known are contemporary artists like Malenda Trick and Stewart Sherwood who continue to embrace still life’s. Like classic paintings these have successfully made the transition to wall tapestries. Their vibrant and detailed imagery works well with the textile finish and, when executed by skilled craftsmen, helps bring the art alive.

Even from the earliest examples of tapestry art we see examples of the richness of detail available when woven by master craftsmen. The Medieval motif known as mille fleurs (thousand flowers) was popular because of the richness and vibrancy it added to wall tapestries, hence the reason it formed the backdrop of so many tapestry designs woven during the Middle Ages. It is this ability to capture fine detail that makes wall tapestries an ideal medium for fine art and it is no wonder it has been so successful in capturing the majesty of still life art.

Scenery & Landscape art tapestries
Like still life’s landscape art is a mainstay of almost all art movements. From Leonardo da Vinci’s detailed background work in his many portraits, to Constable’s evocative paintings, landscapes have proved a popular and lasting element of all art movements.

Many famous landscapes have been successfully reproduced as tapestry wall hangings. One of the earliest examples were Verdure tapestries which depicted lush, green landscapes. These successfully used the richness found in quality tapestry weaving to create a vitality and energy that did an impressive job of capturing nature in all its glory.

Another popular example stems from the Flemish renaissance during the 17th century. Famous painters like Bruegel did much to move the focus away from traditional European art to capturing real life; in particular landscapes. His striking and famous works often contained a broad palette of features including expansive countryside backdrops, and a myriad of detail that made it stand alone when compared to art of its day. Famous works like Hunters in the Snow are now available as very high quality wall tapestries and demonstrate that textiles, woven by skilled craftsmen, can capture even the most demanding of subject matter.

Another example of the virtuosity of landscape art tapestries stems from the popularity of Oriental style art. These were popular from the late 17th century onwards, a result of Europeans traveling east to China and Japan. They brought back tales of exotic lands and strange cultures that captivated audiences back home. With this interest came a flush of art know as Orientale that gave full flight to artistic license.

Many of the works faithfully reproduced aspects of eastern culture, in particular the unusual plants and wildlife. The art itself is very colorful and distinctive, and has been enjoyed as wall tapestries for centuries. Even today they continue to delight art lovers with their depiction of flora and fauna, and their impressive use of color and hue to add drama. Again the richness of the weave and the distinctive texture of wall tapestries adds much to what is already a vivid and striking branch of art.

Because of the popularity of landscape art there are many wall tapestries available that are based on reproductions of its most famous works. The success of woven fabrics in capturing the detail found in many of the best landscape art is often what catches people unawares. This unusual mix of a familiar branch of art rendered using a rare and luxurious medium allows landscape tapestries to compliment a range of interior designs making them an adaptable basis for home accents and accessories.

A lasting beauty
Wall tapestries, because of their unique one-off manufacturing process, are distinctive works of art – each one subtly different from all others. Other options, such as fine art prints and even canvas based reproductions, can have a mass produced quality that is hard to shake. Conversely art lovers can often be surprised at how striking a tapestry wall hanging is compared to other options.

The variety and elegance of traditional fine art is enhanced by the texture of the woven fabric, often achieving a depth not found in traditional prints. The detail now available from modern weaving methods can be impressive and often does justice to some of fine arts’ finest works.

Despite their long history tapestry wall hangings, which for so long occupied a unique place in the homes of the select few, are once again asserting their importance in today’s modern home décor choices. With an ever increasing range of options available the opportunity to own one of these distinctive works of art has never been better.

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The Allure of Historical Wall Tapestries Friday, Nov 28 2008

Since antiquity people have used textiles for all range of purposes. From blankets for warmth, to elaborate woven fabrics for commerce, they have been at the very center of human life.
The need for textiles, combined with our desire to enhance the world around us, has given rise to a huge range of fabric based art, everything from basic colored cloth to complex woven textiles. Tapestries and wall hangings have long been one of the most accomplished forms of this art, having a history dating back millennia, and artists from almost all cultures have contributed some form of textile wall art.

Recently tapestries and wall hangings have enjoyed a rise in interest, with many people looking beyond traditional options for wall decor. The tactile nature of tapestries, combined with their rich history, has made them once again a choice for the well-informed home improver.

Traditional tapestry designs
Although there is an increasing amount of contemporary art available as tapestry wall hangings, it is the traditional designs from the past that are the most popular. Since tapestries have enjoyed a long history these can include anything from Gothic wall hangings, to French Baroque and Rococo works from the 17th and 18th centuries, to more recent 19th century William Morris and Pre-Raphaelite art.

The main appeal of these impressive works is their connection with history. The range of designs and themes is vast and include subject matter as diverse as the rise and fall of nations, the importance of art movements at different times, and the prominence of individual artists and groups. Most appealing is that each has its own claim to history. This combination of artistic excellence and history writ large is proving irresistible to many art lovers who yearn for more depth in their home decor choices.

There are many famous tapestries from the past. In particular the Middle Ages took wall tapestries from the domain of practical decor into the realms of art. Boasting famous works like the Bayeux Tapestry and the Lady and the Unicorn series, the Medieval era is seen by many as the golden age of tapestry art. More importantly for the first time we see tapestry wall hangings widely appreciated as works of art, rather than just practical pieces of home furnishing.

A growing popularity
Reproductions of these famous works are proving very popular with modern audiences. Given the historical importance of these works of art some of the current productions available are fastidious copies of the originals. The very best of these capture the drama and virtuosity of historical art, perfectly blending it with modern weaving methods. The end result is often very faithful to the original artists’ vision, with all the durability and appeal of modern fabrics.

From the vivid colors of Medieval tapestries, to the exoticism of Eastern schools of weaving, traditional tapestry designs often surprise modern art lovers with their attention to detail, their ability to capture emotion and their exploration of timeless themes such as love and romance.

An enduring allure
Because of this these centuries-old designs are enjoying a renewed prominence and are once again making their way into the homes of taste conscious art lovers. Every tapestry, because of the individuality of the weaving process, is a unique work of art unlike any other. In a world driven by mass production art and home decor enthusiasts are drawn to the uniqueness of wall tapestries as an antidote to the monotony of many other décor options.

Now, despite their ancient origins, many people are again looking towards historical wall hangings as an answer to their modern home decor aspirations. With an ever growing range of options for shoppers the choice has never been better.

Copyright © The Tapestry House, all rights reserved.

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Tapestries: Medieval Wall Hangings as Home Décor Tuesday, Oct 21 2008

Medieval Unicorn Tapestry (available from http://www.thetapestryhouse.com)

During the Medieval era Art flourished and came to embrace many elements, especially Christianity. Medieval art emerged from a blend of German and Roman art, fused together during the upheavals of the Middle Ages. Its distinct, Gothic look owes much to its origins, and quickly developed along divergent lines setting it apart from other art movements before or since.

One of the most arresting elements of this period was the development of tapestry wall art. Medieval wall hangings, a number of which still exist, were the epitome of expensive, tasteful art during the Middle Ages and continue to delight modern audiences. Because of this even today many modern home décor enthusiasts are looking toward Medieval wall hangings as an answer to their decorating dilemmas.

There are a number of persistent motifs seen in work from the Middle Ages, including sense and perception, mythical beasts, the glory of God and the celebration of great families.

Of particular importance was the emergence of religious subject matter; using art as a means to communicate multifaceted concepts such as love and redemption. Art rose to the challenge and the sheer breadth of the art produced is one of the main reasons it remains an iconic and fundamental pillar of western art.

Now many are looking again at tapestry wall hangings from the Medieval era as an exciting and unusual addition to their home décor options. With many possibilities they are being considered by more and more people looking for something a little different.

A great many famous works from the Middle Ages have been reproduced as modern wall tapestries. Some of the best examples from history are now available and are truly unique pieces of wall art.

A good example is Travailler les laines, or working of the wool, depicting a scene in the Loire Valley during the early 16th century. In medieval times the wool season was an important time of year, typically July after the harvest in June. The scene depicts Thomas Bohier (d. 1524), adviser and minister to Charles VIII supervising peasants.

Although an important and wealthy nobleman like Bohier would not have been involved directly with the supervision of manual labor, it shows the tendency for wall hangings to be used as a means of communication during Medieval times, and work like this is a useful source of information to historians and enthusiasts.

Because of its distinct colors and clear Medieval style it has become a favorite amongst art lovers and the original, dating from 1520, can be found in the Louvre in Paris.

One of the most famous examples from the Middle Ages are the Lady and the Unicorn. They were undiscovered until 1844 and badly damaged by damp, they were bought by The Cluny Museum in Paris in 1853 and restored. They are now displayed in their own room at the museum.

The designer and weavers of the series are unknown but experts estimate they were woven in the late 15th century. It is thought that the series were commissioned by the Le Viste family, of which the head was Jean Le Viste, a nobleman in the court of King Charles VII, as the coat of arms on the standards, including the lion and the unicorn, represented the family.

The decorative floral background of each tapestry is the same. The Mille Fleurs pattern, meaning the thousand flowers is a style commonplace in Medieval wall hangings.

The beautifully woven tapestries use bold colors and intricate detailing. Each wall hanging features the same subjects, a lady and the mythical unicorn. A lion also appears in each scene. However the theme for each is slightly different.

The six tapestries are said to represent the five senses Taste, hearing, sight, smell and touch with the sixth often interpreted as “love”.

One of the most popular is Les Vendanges. Woven in the late 15th century it was designed to celebrate the annual wine harvest and it depicts the peasants gathering the grapes for use in wine making. The design includes the distinctive Mille Fleurs decoration typical of Medieval wall hangings.

During the Middle Ages art was commissioned by the wealthy and tended to reflect dramatic themes and religious symbolism. More rarely work was commissioned to depict everyday scenes, like Les Vendanges, offering a rare glimpse into life during Medieval times.

Like all Medieval wall hangings these works of art demonstrate the artistry and craftsmanship that was in evidence during this time. The vivid colors and striking motifs challenge our ideas about the Middle Ages as a time of plague and morbidity.

Because wall hangings are textile based the weave often helps lift the original work making for a quite dramatic piece of décor. The best quality wall tapestries do an impressive job of not only reproducing the original detail, but add considerably to their charm and people can be quite taken aback at their distinctive nature.

Nowadays many people are looking to Medieval wall hangings to add some charm and history to their home decor. With a vast array of options to choose from, including some of the Middle Ages best surviving works, there’s never been a better time to appreciate these unique works of art.

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