The first tapestries, created from woven textiles, were made in the Middle Ages. The most common definition of a tapestry describes it as a thick fabric into which colored threads are integrated in order to form intricate designs. The specific labor involved in making a tapestry distinguishes it quite a bit from any type of embroidery.
During the Middle Ages, people used tapestries as curtains and around doors to keep out the cold. They were also used decoratively around the house and as bed canopies that would stop falling objects from dropping directly onto the bed. If the tapestry was large enough, it would cascade down the sides of the bed as well, providing additional privacy.
Those who could afford to live in mansions and castles used tapestries in order to separate some of the larger rooms into smaller living areas. Many were created as testaments to Bible histories and victorious battles. Very often, kings and others carried tapestries on their journeys in order to advertise their wealth. The exquisite and intricate designs woven into them made them highly sought after as works of art.
Making a tapestry is a long, tedious process. Following the painting of a design, weavers would locate the ingredients necessary for dyeing the threads into a variety of colors. When the threads were all prepared, a large group of weavers would start working on the intricate design of the tapestry. Just a square foot of fabric could often take months to complete, and some of the larger tapestries measured up to 80 feet wide. These weavers were highly trained and would pass down their expertise to future generations.
Fighting, hunting and landscapes scenes were most common among the designs. Some kings used to take artists along with them in wars and on hunts to make sketches that could be later used for the design in the tapestries. As the designs became more detail oriented and complex the desired amount of colors to be dyed for the threads rose to 300 different colors. This is when the tapestries began to look like paintings with frames.
Prior to the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453), Paris was the source of the highest quality tapestries. During the war, however, many weavers had to flee France, and a good number of tapestries were destroyed or lost. When peace finally settled on the land once again, weavers again took up the trade and flourished until the dawn of the French Revolution in 1789. During that upheaval, tapestries were often burned and looted for gold and silver threads.
In 1801, weaver Joseph Jacquard revolutionized the production of tapestries with the invention of the Jacquard loom, which utilized a process involving punch cards. These cards allowed textile looms to operate more efficiently by controlling the weaving process. This allowed even less skilled workers to create some of the most intricate designs ever seen. While trained personnel were still needed to operate the looms, the process became much easier, and ordinary people were finally able to own tapestries of their own.
Museums around the world showcase these now historic works of art, the kind that were completely hand made and woven. There are arguably more tapestries from medieval times on display in museums than any other type of art. As you can imagine, the cost of these pieces of history are quite large. The Jacquard loom has not taken all the work out of making a tapestry, but the time and work have been cut considerably, and these beautiful accents are a lot less costly than before.
For inventing such a labor saving device, Joseph Jacquard should be applauded. His invention let weavers continue to make beautiful tapestries, but at a price that could be afforded by a greater portion of the population. These lower prices are letting the average person be able to display these fine works in their homes and enjoy something once reserved for only the rich. - 15615
During the Middle Ages, people used tapestries as curtains and around doors to keep out the cold. They were also used decoratively around the house and as bed canopies that would stop falling objects from dropping directly onto the bed. If the tapestry was large enough, it would cascade down the sides of the bed as well, providing additional privacy.
Those who could afford to live in mansions and castles used tapestries in order to separate some of the larger rooms into smaller living areas. Many were created as testaments to Bible histories and victorious battles. Very often, kings and others carried tapestries on their journeys in order to advertise their wealth. The exquisite and intricate designs woven into them made them highly sought after as works of art.
Making a tapestry is a long, tedious process. Following the painting of a design, weavers would locate the ingredients necessary for dyeing the threads into a variety of colors. When the threads were all prepared, a large group of weavers would start working on the intricate design of the tapestry. Just a square foot of fabric could often take months to complete, and some of the larger tapestries measured up to 80 feet wide. These weavers were highly trained and would pass down their expertise to future generations.
Fighting, hunting and landscapes scenes were most common among the designs. Some kings used to take artists along with them in wars and on hunts to make sketches that could be later used for the design in the tapestries. As the designs became more detail oriented and complex the desired amount of colors to be dyed for the threads rose to 300 different colors. This is when the tapestries began to look like paintings with frames.
Prior to the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453), Paris was the source of the highest quality tapestries. During the war, however, many weavers had to flee France, and a good number of tapestries were destroyed or lost. When peace finally settled on the land once again, weavers again took up the trade and flourished until the dawn of the French Revolution in 1789. During that upheaval, tapestries were often burned and looted for gold and silver threads.
In 1801, weaver Joseph Jacquard revolutionized the production of tapestries with the invention of the Jacquard loom, which utilized a process involving punch cards. These cards allowed textile looms to operate more efficiently by controlling the weaving process. This allowed even less skilled workers to create some of the most intricate designs ever seen. While trained personnel were still needed to operate the looms, the process became much easier, and ordinary people were finally able to own tapestries of their own.
Museums around the world showcase these now historic works of art, the kind that were completely hand made and woven. There are arguably more tapestries from medieval times on display in museums than any other type of art. As you can imagine, the cost of these pieces of history are quite large. The Jacquard loom has not taken all the work out of making a tapestry, but the time and work have been cut considerably, and these beautiful accents are a lot less costly than before.
For inventing such a labor saving device, Joseph Jacquard should be applauded. His invention let weavers continue to make beautiful tapestries, but at a price that could be afforded by a greater portion of the population. These lower prices are letting the average person be able to display these fine works in their homes and enjoy something once reserved for only the rich. - 15615
About the Author:
One would not easily find inexpensive tapestries from long ago. As a matter of fact they are amazingly expensive. Most are housed in museums and protected from the elements. One such work is the Bayeux Tapestry which is very old and 230 feet long and 20 inches high.
