tapices

Tapices, or tapestries, are textile hangings woven on a loom to produce a pictorial or ornamental design. They are typically intended to be displayed on walls, though they may also function as furnishings or room dividers. The defining feature of a tapestry is that the weft threads carry the image, often with the warp kept behind the scenes, allowing intricate scenes and rich color without visible warp lines.

Historically, tapestry weaving has deep roots in multiple cultures. In medieval and early modern Europe, large designed panels were commissioned by courts, churches, and aristocracy to demonstrate wealth, tell stories, or record historical or biblical episodes. Flanders and France became renowned centers, with the Gobelin workshop in Paris and the oeuvre of the Flemish weavers producing some of the era’s most famous works. Tapestries were prized for their portability, insulation, and mute elegance, enabling rooms to be rearranged and climates to be moderated.

Techniques and materials vary, but traditional tapestries are often woven from wool, sometimes with silk, gold, or silver threads for added luster. The designs are prepared as full-size cartoons (drawings) and translated into warp-by-weft color changes on the loom. Tapestry production is typically collaborative, with master weavers, designers, and multiple weavers contributing. Finishing steps may include mounting, lining, or stretching.

Conservation is important, as tapestries are sensitive to light, humidity, and handling. In museums, they are stabilized and cleaned by textile conservators. Notable examples include the Lady and the Unicorn cycles, the Apocalypse Tapestry, and various Flemish and Gobelins works that have shaped perceptions of medieval and early modern textile art.