This tapestry illustrates the tale of Narcissus, taken from Ovid's Metamorphoses. The story of Narcissus tells of a beautiful young man whom the gods caused to fall in love with his own reflection  as punishment for his cold-hearted rejection of the love of others.  Narcissus was a popular subject in the art and poetry associated with the medieval tradition of courtly love.  In this tapestry, he is presented as a fashionably-dressed young man gazing at his reflection in the stone fountain set within a beautiful garden filled with birds and small animals.

Applique embroidered angel, probably from an ecclesiastical vestment. Embroidered on linen ground with gold and silk threads in yellow, green, beige, white and blak. Appliqued to wine-colored voided velvet. Cherubim stands on a flaming wheel and holds a scroll. Some silks gone in small areas. Colors bright. Lining and braid later additions.

Appliqué embroidered angel, probably from an ecclesiastical vestment. Embroidered on linen grond with gold and silk threads in yellow, green, beige, white and black. Appliqued to wine-colored voided velvet. Cherubim stands on a flaming wheel and holds a scroll. Some silks gone in small areas. Colors bright. Lining and braid later additions.

La tapisserie est décorée de quatre personnages qui se détachent sur un fond bleu sombre parsemé de fleurs. A gauche, un homme debout, vêtu d'un manteau rouge et d'une robe bleue, joue de la flûte à bec ou du hautbois, en surplomb un oiseau en vol, s'apprête à atterrir sur sa tête. A sa droite, une femme assise, vêtue d'un manteau rouge et d'une robe dorée, joue du dulcimer, un volatile au sol se détache au-dessus d'elle. Dans la partie inférieure se situent deux personnages, celui de gauche représente un jeune homme taillant une branche d'arbre, celui de droite figure une jeune femme assise embrassant un petit oiseau posé sur sa dextre.

1500~, Germany

1500~, Germany

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