Bayeux Tapestry

The Bayeux Tapestry - A Brief History

Executive Summary by Tom Matherson

Certainly one of the most magnificent embroidered works in all of history, the Bayeux Tapestry is 20 inches tall and 230 feet long. Technically, the Bayeux Tapestry is not really a tapestry at all. The tapestry is believed to have been commissioned by William's half brother, Bishop Odo of Bayeux and was to be displayed in the Bayeux Cathedral to commemorate his brother's bold victory. The tapestry was first mentioned in 1476 in an inventory of the cathedral. A replica of the tapestry is on display at the Museum of Reading in England. Today, the original Bayeux Tapestry has been returned to its rightful home, the Bayeux Cathedral. Individual panels and sections of the Bayeux Tapestry have been reproduced for home display as well.

A Brief History of Tapestries

Executive Summary by LaZinnia Manley

The history of tapestries is a long one. During the Medieval period, tapestry weaving became popular again. Tapestries reflected man's relationship with God. With the rise of the Renaissance, tapestries evolved. Instead of telling a story, tapestry art became more intellectual and abstract. The most commonly used materials in weaving these beautiful tapestries were wool, silk, and gold and silver threads. The majority of tapestry images during this time period were drawn ahead of time, full-size, by artists, to be copied meticulously by the tapestry weavers. Many of these tapestries were lost to pillage or destruction during the Hundred Years' War, as many tapestries were burned to reclaim the precious metal threads.

HOW TAPESTRIES WERE MADE

Most forms of weaving utilize warp threads, through which weft threads are woven. For weaving a tapestry, there were two types of looms; high warp and low warp. Both looms stretched the warp threads between two rollers. Color and depth were created by using several colors of weft threads.

Article You May Be Interested In Reading :Pottery Barn and Wall Tapestry