Early 20th-century French tapestry.

Early 20th-century French tapestry.
"Characters."
Wool with "petit point" embroidery.
Measurements: 310 x 168 cm.

20th-century French petit point tapestry. Traditionally, especially in the 17th century, Flemish tapestries were true museum pieces, featuring intricate detail in both pattern and color, and depicting pictorial compositions with pastoral or religious themes, often on a monumental scale. The success of decorative tapestries can be partly explained by their portability. Tapestries were also hung on castle walls for insulation during the winter, as well as for decorative display. The iconography of most Western tapestries can be traced back to written sources; the Bible and Ovid’s *Metamorphoses* are two popular choices. In addition to religious and mythological images, hunting scenes are the subject of many tapestries produced for interior decoration.