Tree Of Life Tapestries & Rugs

Art works by famous artists generally inspires the creation of Art Tapestries. Tapestries are the creative expressions weaved in the textile depicting various images like landscapes, animals, nature forms like trees etc. Tapestries are a part of our ancient legacy but are admired even today for their uniqueness and exquisiteness. Tapestries-tapestry.com is a site that displays a vast collection of this wonderful art along with the different types and styles of this ancient art form. Art tapestries are also a major part of this awesome collectionArt tapestries are the reproductions of famous art works made by famous artists like François Boucher, Claude Monet, Burne Jones, Pre-Raphaelic and Michelangelo etc.Francois Boucher, a French painter who lived in the eighteenth century was a very accomplished artist. Many of his beautiful paintings were reproduced in tapestries during the Renaissance period. The renowned painter was known for his pastoral work and mythological scenes. His much-acclaimed work embodies frivolity and sensuousness of the typical rococo style; Triumph of Venus, Loves of God, etc. are few of his famous compositions. He mastered the subjects like landscapes, history, mythology, portraiture, still life etc.Raphael one of the greatest European master, who was much sought after during his lifetime. His paintings were known for their exquisite taste and refinement. The celebrated artist is best known for his large figure compositions and specially his Madonnas.Michelangelo an Italian sculptor, painter, poet and architect, needs no introduction was one of the founders of the High Renaissance. Pieta and David are his best sculptures while ‘The last judgment’ was one of his best paintings.The works of these renowned artists are reproduced in the art tapestries and you can proudly display a Michelangelo or a François Boucher in your living room if you wish so. The tapestries of art are very good gift items and are appreciated by the receiver as well. The tapestries are a prized possession of an art collector and are also cherished as family heirlooms too.

For all lovers of the outdoors, paintings and prints abound that record the glories of nature. For the most part, however, they come across as but faint shadows of the real thing, flat and two dimensional. This is one reason tapestries featuring outdoor scenes are so popular.

The three dimensional effect tapestries bring to themes like woodland groves or stormy seas adds an inestimable amount of interest to the subject matter. There are many sizes and styles of tapestry, but ones that feature the outdoors are favorites everywhere. The natural colors blend with almost any décor, and they are appropriate for any room in the house.

Depictions of shady clearings and sunlight shafting through trees are a common sight in many tapestry shops. The peacefulness is tinged with excitement when you spot the doe and fawn almost hidden at the edge of the tree line. Other portrayals have a stag standing front and center, in full antlered glory.

Lions tigers and elephants and even camels are beautifully rendered to bring a touch of the safari right into your living area. Tame parrots and macaws can be depicted in excruciating detail, so realistic you half expect them to jump off the wall and start flying around the room.

Simple fields of wildflowers or hidden mountain springs with waterfalls are also subjects of interest, creating a calming feeling. These are lovely when placed in bedrooms and studies to provide a restful atmosphere. Garden scenes have almost an Impressionist feel when transferred to tapestry.

Other tapestries show realistic versions of farmhouses and covered bridges, trails winding across prairies and pastured livestock. Horses hang their heads over the corral fence; chickens peck in the grass. Any of these tapestries can be hung to provide a type of picture window; a view into another world.

Hunting scenes are wildly popular, featuring every aspect of the hunt from the gathering before hand to the actual chase to the capture. Hounds and horsemen, stag, fox or hare are depicted in fluid motion. These tapestries are favored for dens and family rooms, providing some action and heat on cool fall evenings.

Nautical themes are popular as well. Historical tapestries show events such as pitched battles fought on the high seas and panoramic views of harbors and merchant ships. Gondolas in Venice pull back away from the bustle and bring a quiet laziness to the viewer’s mind.

The lions, peacocks and woodpeckers shown in Pre-Raphaelite artist’s works are less lifelike but just as powerfully rendered. Mythical beasts such as dragons and unicorns abound, and interact with humans in conflict or friendship. These historical pieces are great for display in larger rooms of the house.

The Lady and the Unicorn tapestries are legendary, as are several different portrayals of Saint George vanquishing the Dragon. Pastoral scenes of carthorses and swine yield glimpses into the bucolic country life if centuries ago, and the backgrounds are soothing.

Chinese tapestries with their stylized horses and intricate bird patterns offer an exotic touch. The colors used to detail the kimonos and trappings of the steeds are incredibly intense. Again, skirmishes are common themes of tapestries. Dragons figure prominently in Asian lore as well, and can be portrayed in many different way.

Smaller tapestries often focus on domesticated animals, such as dogs and horses. These tapestries can be incorporated into handbags or throw pillows. Royalty used to demand to be painted with their favorite hound or lapdog, and the trend continues to this day with owners seeking out handbags featuring their favorite breed.

Some tapestries, such as ones from India, have a bold style when it comes to flowers or fruit. If you like plump and rounded brightly colored fruit these tapestries are cheery and enjoyable. Other styles are more lifelike, drawing from the reality of nature, and some seem almost inspired.

Chenille tapestries often show flowers that look intensely real. Butterflies, too are featured and appear to be meticulously accurate down to the tiniest detail. Chenille tapestries are extremely soft, woven with a special yarn that leaves a fuzzy effect.

Still other tapestries show the outdoors in the grip of different seasons – spring flowers, summer wheat, autumn leaves and winter sceneries blanketed with snow. All of these seem somehow more alive and real in the tactile form of tapestry.

If you want the inside of your home to remind you of the outside, you can’t go wrong with tapestries. They will bring the wilderness straight into your living room, with a rich beauty and style that your family and friends will admire.

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Tapestry collections throughout the world have been celebrated by many. The vivid and dramatic colours and diverse interpretations have captivated audiences and have enabled artist’s masterpieces to be transformed and reproduced through tapestry. Through the ages tapestries have been commissioned as a way of expressing art form. This may have been through dramatic religious belief, or in a representation of tradition and lifestyle using a more abstract symbolic approach. Museums now house many of the original tapestry collections which continue to exude a timeless appeal.

The Attraction of Medieval Tapestries

Some of the most well known and enigmatic tapestries are those woven during the medieval era. These works of art have stood the test of time and continue to appeal through their intricate design and detail. Unicorns were incorporated into the design of many medieval tapestries, symbolizing good over evil and religious experience. One of the most famous sixteenth century collections can be seen in New York City at the Cloisters Museum. La Chasse de la Licorne, originally woven in France, contains a multifaceted array of symbolism and is believed to represent healing, particularly the horn of the unicorn. One theory behind the meaning of the series is that they were originally commissioned to celebrate a marriage and the Licorne Captive is representative of a lady capturing her betrothed. The Lady and the Unicorn series shows unicorns representing the human senses such as touch, smell, and hearing and can be seen in the Cluny Museum, Paris. Many of the tapestries incorporating unicorns into their designs were based on religious beliefs, and a way of expressing emotions. Unicorns continue to appeal today to a wide audience.

 A Medieval Raconteur- The Bayeux Tapestry

One of the most famous and well known tapestries of all time is in fact embroidery. The Bayeux Tapestry was woven to celebrate the victory at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 by William the Conqueror and is actually split into sections focusing on the story. The precise origins of the tapestry remain a mystery and are thought to have been commissioned by Bishop Odo. Although there is a reference to the existence of the work in 1476 it has endured poor storage and was used to cover a cart during the French Revolution. Remarkably it has survived and has an enduring appeal. Today this magnificent artefact is displayed in the Musee de la Tapisserie in the French town of Bayeux.

William Morris- Inspired Designs

 William Morris tapestries signified the emergence of modern tapestry art, particularly those that could be adapted for middle class Victorian homes. Unique designs with striking and dramatic colours saw Morris become one of the most popular artists of his time. One example of his work entitled Ehret Die Frauen is displayed in the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester and was inspired by a verse by Schiller extolling feminine virtue. Other examples of Morris designs include the Tree of Life, Flora, Pomona, and the Woodpecker. A Continual Inspiration Textiles have been used throughout history for a variety of purposes and in differing art media. Tapestry is a form of textile wall art that continues to enhance our surroundings and appeal to many cultures.

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The revival of medieval tapestries in the 19th century has a lot to do with the works of William Morris. Tapestries own their popularity and resurgence to the arts movement headed by William Morris in the late 1800’s throughout England. Morris was responsible for reviving many old art forms, but some of his most famous works were tapestries including the tapestry entitled The Tree of Life. Morris was part of a wealthy family and after an unremarkable childhood attended Exeter College in Oxford England. Morris had always had an interest in art, especially the works of the pre-renaissance era, but it was not until he met painter Edward Burne-Jones that he began his creative quest to revive and preserve medieval art forms. Burne-Jones, Morris, and other students founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood a group of artists that looked to the art and culture of Middle Ages for inspiration. Tapestries were of special inspiration to Morris who though modern production methods and designs were not nearly as creative and noble as the methods and designs of centuries past. He built a traditional high-warp loom and taught himself how to weave in the traditional French manner. He designed some of the most famous tapestries of the time including The Tree of Life and The Woodpecker with help from colleagues. He used medieval styles, techniques, and inspiration to create these famous hangings. Morris went on to found a production company, Morris and Co. who produced many different textiles from carpet to wallpaper and gave Morris a great outlet for his creative designs. Morris and Co. eventually dissolved but not for a few years after Morris’ death and after creating many different works of art. Morris designed and produced stained glass, tapestries, ceramic tiles, furniture, wallpaper, and carpets. Morris and Co. went a long way in reviving many of these ailing crafts and art forms. Burne-Jones also worked with Morris and designed many pieces for Morris and Co. Burne-Jones designed many tapestries as well as window glass all of which having inspiration from the Middle Ages. Burne-Jones had a special affinity for tapestries, and like many of his other works he specialized in creating figures in his tapestries. He became an expert craftsman and even lectured on the subject. Morris and Burne-Jones also designed and manufactured furniture along with their other Morris and Burne-Jones’ foray into furniture design began in 1856 when they began designing furniture for their empty rental after being unable to find furniture that met their aesthetic tastes. This led Morris to explore embroidery and different styles of furniture decoration. Morris believed that a designer should be experienced in all of the aspects of a technique so he studied fiber dying techniques as well. Morris designed and created many tapestries and wall hangings entirely himself, even dying the thread with plant materials. One such wall hanging entitled If I Can was one of the first that Morris designed and created and also reflected his desire to see his work through from idea to finished piece.

William Morris is one of Britain’s most prolific textile designers with a talent in every area he managed to influence. A multi skilled designer with a appreciation of beautiful things, he developed a design portfolio that encompasses many genres in the applied arts. Morris’ Early years In 1834 William Morris was born in Walthamstow, Essex. He attended Exeter College, Oxford where he met Edward Burne-Jones, who later became his business partner and lifelong friend. Initial plans to study for Holy Orders were abandoned in favour of becoming and architect. With such a creative mind Morris soon tired of this and joined his friend Burne-Jones to paint. Art became Morris’s forte and he developed talent in printing, poetry and learning how to weave. His tapestry work is undoubtedly his finest creation. Acanthus and Vine was Morris’s first tapestry, completed in 1879.

The Arts and Crafts Movement The 1860’s saw a transformation of the applied arts when Morris, Marshall, Faulkner and Company was formed. This brought together some of the leading artists of the day as William Morris, Peter Paul Marshall, and Charles Faulkner began the Arts and Crafts Movement together with Edward Burne-Jones and Ford Maddox Brown. The tapestries and wall hangings created by Morris remain influential in the design world today. Morris said, ”Whatever you have in your room, think first of the walls, for they are that which makes your house and home.” The company eventually became known as Morris & Co in 1874. William Morris Tapestries Burne-Jones and Morris worked in partnership on some of the greatest tapestries to emerge from the Arts and Crafts Movement. Morris wove the tapestry that Burne-Jones designed.

One of the most popular tapestries is the Quest for the Holy Grail, now on display in the Birmingham Museum and is a set of six tapestries depicting this famous legend. The Adoration of the Magi is perhaps Morris’s most well known religious tapestry, and was also the most complex. Depicting the nativity scene, the foreground is scattered with British flowers and Morris declared that, “nothing better of the kind has ever been done, old or new.” The Woodpecker is one of the few designed by Morris himself and depicts the bird sitting in the branches of a fruit tree surrounded by an ornate background of leaves, which came to typify the Morris design. An embroidered inscription of Morris’s own poetry was included in the tapestry design. The use of colour and intricate detail can be seen in The Tree of Life, a well known Morris design, which also serves to display his expertise in patterns.

A timeless appeal

Morris once said,” Have nothing in your houses that you do know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” One of the most prolific artists of the nineteenth century, his works are seen today in modern homes and is a testament to the fact that true beauty is timeless.

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 This is Free-Reprint article from The Tapestry House. Our terms are: Please leave copyright statement intact Please publish author info including links Please do not use the article in unsolicited emails Please keep all links intact and “as is” – no embedded keyword advertising