The unicorn tapestries are one of the most popular attractions at The Cloisters, the medieval branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Traditionally known as The Hunt of the Unicorn, this set of seven exquisite and enigmatic tapestries was likely completed between 1495 and 1505. The imaginatively conceived scenes, displaying individualized faces of the hunters and naturalistically depicting the flora and fauna of the landscape, are beautifully captured in silk, wool, and metal yarns. Written by one of the world's leading authorities on medieval textiles and illustrated with many lovely colour reproductions, The Unicorn Tapestries traces the origins of the tapestries as well as possible interpretations of their symbolic meaning. This is an essential book for any lover of medieval art and textiles.
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About the Author
Adolfo Salvatore Cavallo is an independent scholar who formerly worked at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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The Hunt of the Unicorn tapestries, like all extraordinarily beautiful and enigmatic works of art, have excited the admiration and curiosity of scholars ever since they were first mentioned in the literature in 1888. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
The Hunt of the Unicorn tapestries, like all extraordinarily beautiful and enigmatic works of art, have excited the admiration and curiosity of scholars ever since they were first mentioned in the literature in 1888. Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Davide
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Unicorn tapestries at the Metropolitan Museum of Art are very nice illustrated. The story of these tapestries along with the historical setting of the unicorm legend are the key features of this nice book.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.8 out of 5 stars
8 reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Timeless
7 Oct 2006
By Alyssa A. Lappen
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
I recall seeing these tapestries for the first time as a teen, when my high school class made a bus trip to the Cloisters Museum--deigned as a medieval castle--in the uppermost park in Manhattan. As I recall, I was on crutches at the time. Through the shallow, spiral stairs tested my coordination, however, the fabulous textiles, rich in color and mythology, completely distracted me from my injury.
I've been back a few times over the years to see these priceless treasures, and each time, they have induced silent awe.
Margaret Freeman's volume provides a great record of the collection, including fine pictorial details, and scholarly (but engrossing) explanations of the tapestry themes and motifs.
This is an art book you'll be happy to have.
I've been back a few times over the years to see these priceless treasures, and each time, they have induced silent awe.
Margaret Freeman's volume provides a great record of the collection, including fine pictorial details, and scholarly (but engrossing) explanations of the tapestry themes and motifs.
This is an art book you'll be happy to have.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Luminous
12 Mar 2006
By Linda Pagliuco
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
One of the most beautiful, complex works of art that remain with us from the middle ages, the Unicorn Tapestries at the Cloisters Museum in New York City are a priceless treasure. Their monograph on the tapestries is a beautifully produced, meticulously researched, and well-written overview of the techniques used to weave them, the selection of colors, the symbolism of the figures and flowers, and the possible meaning of the entire sequence. To this day, no one knows for certain for whom they were woven and what they truly signify. If you haven't had a chance to see these wondrous tapestries in person, consider putting them on your list of things to do before you die. If you have been fortunate enough to make a visit, this book will certainly increase your understanding and appreciation of this masterpiece. We are fortunate to have them, though they probably truly belong in France or Belgium.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
10-star book for beauty and clarity
16 Jun 2012
By Jane in Milwaukee
- Published on Amazon.com
Whoo boy! This book is as complicated as it is gorgeous! Author and curator, Adolfo Salvatore Cavallo, writes clearly and the book is gloriously illustrated. This is the 1998 hardcover and from what I read here, quite a treasure compared to its little paperback brother.
It's complicated so let me break it down a bit for you. (Apologies if this review is too long.) These tapestries are currently housed in The Cloisters portion of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. There are 7 total tapestries which, combined, are 86 feet wide and 15 feet tall! There are 2 stories going on that the tapestries illustrate: an allegory of the Passion of Christ and The Hunt of the Unicorn as Lover. I know...sounds weird. But these tapestries were woven between 1495 and 1505 at the height of Christian fervor, the stronghold of mythology and the great wealth of those who commissioned them.
The tapestries are magnificent. It is astounding that they are in such good shape, particularly having escaped the ravages of The Terror of the French Revolution. Tapestries are weavings and not embroidery and on the enormous looms were warp threads (the vertical ones) made of wool and woven in were the weft (horizontal) threads made of wool, silk, silver and gilt (pure thinly pounded gold wrapped around silk). Scores of men (probably) made the tapestries, always in groups working at the same time on each one.
This book is magnificent because there are brilliant color photos of the entire tapestries and many close-up details of same everywhere, often times covering an entire leaf. I especially like something you wouldn't expect: Appendix 1 discusses the flora in the tapestries and Appendix 2 shows the fauna. Cool.
I'd give this 10 stars if I could.
It's complicated so let me break it down a bit for you. (Apologies if this review is too long.) These tapestries are currently housed in The Cloisters portion of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. There are 7 total tapestries which, combined, are 86 feet wide and 15 feet tall! There are 2 stories going on that the tapestries illustrate: an allegory of the Passion of Christ and The Hunt of the Unicorn as Lover. I know...sounds weird. But these tapestries were woven between 1495 and 1505 at the height of Christian fervor, the stronghold of mythology and the great wealth of those who commissioned them.
The tapestries are magnificent. It is astounding that they are in such good shape, particularly having escaped the ravages of The Terror of the French Revolution. Tapestries are weavings and not embroidery and on the enormous looms were warp threads (the vertical ones) made of wool and woven in were the weft (horizontal) threads made of wool, silk, silver and gilt (pure thinly pounded gold wrapped around silk). Scores of men (probably) made the tapestries, always in groups working at the same time on each one.
This book is magnificent because there are brilliant color photos of the entire tapestries and many close-up details of same everywhere, often times covering an entire leaf. I especially like something you wouldn't expect: Appendix 1 discusses the flora in the tapestries and Appendix 2 shows the fauna. Cool.
I'd give this 10 stars if I could.
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4.8 out of 5 stars
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