For millennia people have used tapestries and textiles to decorate their homes and today that trend continues. Wall tapestries are one of the most accomplished textile-based art forms and come from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds lending them a diversity often envied in traditional art mediums.
In recent years tapestries have become a much talked about element of home decor and they are being used in a variety of interesting and unique ways and many well-known artists are licensing their artwork to be made into tapestries. Any subject matter from nature and landscapes to fantasy, impressionist and modern art can be used to create a tapestry providing the weaver has the skill to do so. These add an entirely unique dimension to this traditional form of art and modern day art lovers enjoy the blend of traditional and modern found in tapestry art.
Rich materials with a modern twist Traditional tapestries, particularly those from the Medieval era, were made from wool. This provided a strong basis for applying dyes and pigments and had the added benefit of being hardwearing and easily available. Over time other fabrics have been added to the mix, but the basic principle of natural materials has remained with tapestry weaving, even to the present day, with the very best examples of tapestry art often using traditional materials and weaving techniques.
Natural fabric tapestries, usually incorporating wool as a main constituent, hold dyes and pigments well, creating a vitality and richness that shows why wall tapestries have been an important and popular art form for centuries. More recently tapestries now include synthetic fibers that help add strength to the original material. Wool tapestries when mixed with synthetic polymers have the distinct advantage of preserving the traditional warmth of wool tapestries, but add a long-lasting robustness that would have made them the envy of Medieval weavers.
The very best quality modern wall tapestries make the most of this blend of old and new, using new improved fibers to reproduce classical art and famous tapestry art from the past. With the improvements made to pigments and dyes in the last century we can now easily buy faithful reproductions of centuries-old tapestry designs; unseen in such vibrant colors since the time they were originally designed.
As well as traditional materials chenille is a popular choice for modern tapestry wall hangings mainly because it is a flexible material that is soft and adaptable. It can be used in a broad range of household decor items, including wall tapestries and throws. When decorating your home chenille tapestries can add an elegant finishing touch which also has a degree of versatility that is hard to accomplish in other ways.
A chenille piece can often be hung as a wall hanging and used as a throw, with all the range of design and color options you find in traditional wall tapestries. However the real popularity of chenille tapestries derive from the fact that they warm the room and make it feel cozy and comfortable.
Rising to the challenge Some spaces can present a decorating challenge. A room may feel too small while others feel large and cold. Sometimes smooth, modern walls don't quite gel with antique style furniture or accents. Like any form of high quality art tapestries can aide the informed home decor enthusiast and open a window to the past, expand living space both emotionally and visually, create the basis for a theme, add color and give your living space individuality, personality and charm.
Furnishings that are otherwise bland will assume character when complimented with a beautiful tapestry. Choosing a tapestry and using it creatively can minimize and solve a decorating problem by presenting a flash of color or opening a window to another time or place. With a vast range now available it is easy to find a wall tapestry that will provide you with many years of viewing enjoyment.
If a room is small and needs something to make it feel less cramped, consider choosing a tapestry that will bring a breath of fresh air into your living space. This could be a city, land, seascape or a traditional tapestry design such as Medieval. Choosing a horizontal tapestry will help add length to a room or try opening a space by choosing a tapestry with doorways and windows. These types of tapestries give an illusion of added space by leading the eye of the viewer outward.
If your room is large and cold, scale it down by hanging a series of smaller tapestries together. This creates the illusion of a smaller space and can bring a large, blank wall down in size. Hanging small tapestries together will also add warmth to your room. When creating this illusion be sure to choose tapestries of a similar theme.
Charming, versatile and beautiful Wall tapestries, often rich in history, can transport us to another time and place and reduce the stress of today's busy world. They encourage reflective and tranquil moments, enlighten the human spirit and are great subjects of conversation. They also elevate our personal space, add charm and coziness to our homes and are balm for the soul.
All of these qualities have made wall tapestries a popular choice amongst art lovers for centuries. Today with modern textiles and fabrics and centuries of tradition, art and design behind them many are finding wall tapestries as charming, versatile and beautiful as ever.
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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 tapestry 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 dè(c)cor 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 dè(c)cor 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 dè(c)cor. 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.
Copyright (c) The Tapestry House, all rights reserved.
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Arizona Penhaligon has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Management, Interior Design and Home Management. Arizona Penhaligon writes on a number of subjects, including home decor and . She divides her time between writing and the Tapestry House.. Arizona Penhaligon's top article generates over 201000 views. to your Favourites.
Magenta Santiago has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Improvement. Magenta Santiago writes about the arts and the history of art and has a real passion for and. Magenta Santiago's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.