Lady and the Unicorn

The Lady and the Unicorn
Desire

The Lady and the Unicorn is a series of six tapestries woven in Flanders (Belgium) in the 1400's. It's considered one of the greatest works of art from the Middle Ages. The Hunt of the Unicorn is another famous example of medieval tapestry, and we were lucky to see those once at the Cloisters Museum in New York. A photo reproduction doesn't come close to capturing the scale and intricate design-- tapestries have to be seen to be appreciated.

But I ran across this Lady series and thought I'd post them since they are so old and beautiful. The background design is called millefleurs (thousand flowers.) In 1841, the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries were "rediscovered" (how could you lose them?) in damaged condition at the Boussac castle. The novelist George Sand brought public attention to the tapestries in her writing. Now you can see them at the Musee de Cluny in Paris.

Each shows a noble lady with the unicorn on her left and a lion on her right. They are interpreted as depicting the five senses: sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste.

Sight

The lady is seated and holding up a mirror to the unicorn, and he sits like a dog with his legs on her lap gazing at his reflection.

Hearing

The lady plays an organ on a table while her maid operates the bellows. Small animals are at their feet and the unicorn is listening in the background.

Smell

The lady stands making flower wreaths while her maid holds the basket.

Touch

The lady stands with one hand on the unicorn's horn and the other holding a pennant.

Taste

The lady is taking sweets from a dish held by her maid. The unicorn is begging.