Bayeux Tapestry, William the Conqueror

Many major tapestry works-of-art are made and currently on display in Paris, France, and are considered to be true treasures of the world and a known as French tapestries. This is not surprising at all; Paris has been own to be one of the world's major art centers in the world.

Paris is home to some of the world's most renowned artists, may it be in literary or visual arts, including Vincent Van Gogh and Marcel Duchamp, among others. It is also home to the world's most renowned museums, including the museums of Pablo Picasso and Gustave Moreau. For the French to claim that they are creating the world's most extravagant tapestry pieces, is justified.

It is also no surprise that the Bayeux Tapestry is first connected to France. Perhaps the most elaborate piece of tapestry in existence, it is currently displayed in Normandy, France. The Bayeux Tapestry was first said to be commissioned by Queen Matilda as a gift to William the Conqueror, although this story is most likely a romantic fiction rather than a historical fact.

Another French royalty commissioned for the creation of another French wall hanging masterpiece. Commissioned by Queen Anne of Brittany as gift for King Charles VIII of France, "The Hunt of the Unicorn" is another elaborate piece illustrating the hunt for the mythical unicorn.

Another unicorn-themed tapestry, "The Lady and the Unicorn" is currently displayed in France. Of unknown origin is the Valios Tapestry, a collection of eight tapestries depicting festivities and celebrations in France - specifically, the Court of France - during the 16th century.

Although illustrating French festivities, it was probably created in the Southern Netherlands (or the Spanish Netherlands). It is assumed to be commissioned by the Queen Catherine de Medici, the wife of King Henry II.

Most of the people in the Valoid Tapestry are members of the royal family of France. The events depicted in this wall hanging are based on the queen's "magnificences", or Catherine de Medici's lavish entertainment festivals.

Perhaps the reason for the French's prominence in the art of tapestry-making is the Gobelin's, a family who created a firm in Paris who made tapestry during the 16th century. First a family of dyers, they expanded their business and began creating tapestry for various government institutions in France.

They also supplied Louis XIV with various pieces of tapestries as well as the other monarch that succeeded him. Some of the works from the Gobelin Manufactory can be seen on display in various French museums today, including the actual Gobelin workshop, which is still open to tourists for tours.

Visit a trusted source to see many popular works-of-art including William the Conqueror, Bayeux Tapestry. There are 76 different tapestries from the Bayeux Tapestry Collection, showing the events leading up to The Battle of Hastings in 1066 and the battle itself. Educational and handsome masterpieces.

Use Wall Tapestries to Transform an Ordinary Room Into One With Unique Style

Since their existence, wall tapestries have been used to decorate the interior walls of many different buildings including churches, government buildings, castles and homes. Tapestries have a very unique and historical air about them. It's almost as if each tapestry hides a secret story within its intricate woven design.

Wall tapestries are very durable, and come from various cultural backgrounds including Asian, Italian, French, and Belgian. Aside from the cultural aspect, tapestries are available in different textures, as well as different designs including architecture, nature (trees, flowers), fantasy (unicorns, dragons, fairies), animals, medieval (castles, knights), royal crests, world map, art and modern art, as well as religious designs.

Since there are so many designs to choose from, you can literally find a wall tapestry to suit your personal taste or compliment any theme you may have in a room.

Why add wall tapestries as part of a room's décor? A wall tapestry provides your home with a sense of history and tradition. It can make any living space visually look larger than it is. A tapestry blends color and character and captures the attention of the eye. In addition, tapestries are an excellent conversation piece.

If you have decided to add a wall tapestry to a room in your home, you may be wondering how to choose a tapestry. Although the design is important when selecting a tapestry, texture is important as well.

Chenille is the most popular texture because it is extremely versatile material that is both flexible and soft. A chenille tapestry is elegant and warm, and is suitable to just about any type of décor, regardless if it is modern, chic, eclectic, or rustic.

Furthermore, chenille is a common fabric that is used to make throw pillows, window treatments and throw blankets. Therefore, you can add this texture in other parts of the décor in your room to link the tapestry with the other elements.

In addition to the design and texture, the size and colors of the tapestry matter. The reason is because where you hang the tapestry will determine the size and style best suited to the space.

For instance, if you would like to make a room look larger, the best type of tapestry is one that is horizontal which will help make the room appear wider. Moreover, a tapestry with vibrant colors, or one that depicts a scene with an open door or window helps to make a room look less cramped.

You should also only use one tapestry in a small room, as more than one can shrink the room by making it look too busy. On the other hand, if you wish to make a large space look smaller, hang a row of different sized tapestries in various designs and colors.

If you are looking for wall art that is a cut above the average, wall tapestries could very well be what you've been looking for. Discover the many fantastic tapestries available online and in local art and department stores, and infuse a little romance and history into the rooms of your home.

Jessica Ackerman writes for Wall Décor and Home Accents - check for specials on decorative metal wall art & decorative home décor accents.

Also make sure to read this important article on baby nursery decorating.

The Ladies of Camelot Medieval Tapestry

Men are the usual images present in medieval tapestry, which makes the tapestry "The Ladies in Camelot" a refreshing break from all the depictions of battles and knights. Popular medieval tapestries are depictions of knights and their quests and their battles.

Two popular tapestry series revolve on this theme, namely "The Hunt of the Unicorn" and the William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones creation, the Holy Grail tapestry. The women in the backdrop of the journeys and the battles of the knights, however, are mostly overlooked.

"The Ladies in Camelot", an elegant display of the beauty of the Arthurian legend is just a manifestation and a proof the women and ladies in Camelot are a major presence and play an important role in medieval tapestries.

Women figured largely on several medieval tapestries. It is important to note that while there were no women in the popular work, "The Hunt of the Unicorn", the presence of a maiden or a virgin figured largely in various interpretations of this piece. According to various pagan interpretations, this series alludes to the doomed love affair of two medieval lovers.

In medieval tapestries figuring of King Arthur, the presence of the ladies of Camelot can be boldly noted. These are perhaps one of the more noted depictions of women in medieval tapestry, since most of the known medieval tapestry pieces are European landscapes, knights, and battles.

The image of Guinevere is among the most prominent in these Arthurian tapestries and of the ladies of Camelot. Guinevere was King Arthur's queen consort and was famous for her affair with Sir Lancelot, Arthur's chief knight. Their affair is the cause of King Arthur's downfall, although the king did not realize the affair for some time.

The tapestry "The Ladies of Camelot" shows Guinevere in the woods with other women of Camelot. It is an elaborate piece that shows the beauty of the Arthurian legend, emphasizing the color and intrigue present in the story.

A popular Morris tapestry piece is "Queen Guinevere". Morris is responsible for several Arthurian tapestries in existence today. In fact, Arthurian legends were one of the staples in his company, Morris & Co, which is responsible for resurrecting the interest of the people in medieval tapestry.

Guinevere and the ladies of Camelot are present in several Arthurian tapestries. In two tapestries in the series-Arming and Departure for the Quest and Departure from Camelot the women of Camelot, including Guinevere, can be seen helping the knights.

In another popular tapestry, King Arthur, the king, holding his sword Excalibur with his shield Prydwen laid in from of him, was with Sir Lancelot and Guinevere. Other King Arthur tapestry has the presence of the ladies of Camelot and Guinevere, mostly those that concerns the events happening in the castle itself, such as The King's Court, The Royal Joust, and The Tournament at Camelot.

The Medieval Tapestry, The Ladies of Camelot is woven in France and does make a beautiful statement in wall decor for fine woven goods. Other exciting days of romance and glory come from the educational and fun, Medieval Tapestry Collection.