The Unicorn Tapestries in The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Metropolitan Museum of Art Publications) (Paperback)

by Adolfo Salvatore Cavallo (Author) "The Hunt of the Unicorn tapestries, like all extraordinarily beautiful and enigmatic works of art, have excited the admiration and curiosity of scholars ever since..." (more)
Key Phrases: Southern Netherlands, Middle Ages, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"...elegantly illustrated and clearly written.... the definitive text on the unicorn tapestries...." -- Library Journal (starred review)

Product Description

The unicorn tapestries are one of the most popular attractions at The Cloisters, the medieval branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Traditionally known as The Hunt of the Unicorn, this set of seven exquisite and enigmatic tapestries was likely completed between 1495 and 1505. The imaginatively conceived scenes?displaying individualized faces of the hunters and naturalistically depicting the flora and fauna of the landscape?are beautifully captured in silk, wool, and metal yarns.

Written by one of the world?s leading authorities on medieval textiles and illustrated with many lovely color reproductions, The Unicorn Tapestries traces the origins of the tapestries as well as possible interpretations of their symbolic meaning. This is an essential book for any lover of medieval art and textiles.

See all Editorial Reviews

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Product Details Paperback: 128 pages Publisher: Metropolitan Museum of Art (April 11, 2005) Language: English ISBN-10: 0300106300 ISBN-13: 978-0300106305 Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 9 x 0.4 inches Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #630,022 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
The Hunt of the Unicorn tapestries, like all extraordinarily beautiful and enigmatic works of art, have excited the admiration and curiosity of scholars ever since they were first mentioned in the literature in 1888. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Southern Netherlands, Middle Ages, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Allegory of the Passion, New York, Virgin Mary, Gift of John, Bishop Theobald, Fort Tryon Park, Jesus Christ, Philippe de Thaun, Cluny Opposite, Holy Land, Trojan War, Yves Debraine

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 6 books:

• The Unicorn Tapestries by Margaret B. Freeman on page 118, and Back Matter
• Easter Sunday (Little Easter Pops) by Roma Bishop on page 118
• Tristan and Isolde: English National Opera Guide 6 (English National Opera Guides) by Wagner on page 38
• Medieval Tapestries in The Metropolitan Museum of Art by Adolfo Salvatore Cavallo in Back Matter
• The Truth About Unicorns by James Cross Giblin in Back Matter

See all 6 books this book cites

 

6 books cite this book:

• Tiger Bone & Rhino Horn: The Destruction of Wildlife for Traditional Chinese Medicine by Richard Ellis on page 80, and Back Matter
• Medieval Art by Marilyn Stokstad in Back Matter
• Encountering Medieval Textiles and Dress: Objects, Texts, Images by Desiree G. Koslin on page 248
• Medieval Art Second Edition (Icon Editions) by Marilyn Stokstad in Back Matter
• The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier in Back Matter

See all 6 books citing this book

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Books on Related Topics (learn more)

Tapestry Conservation by Frances Lennard

Discusses:

• four tapestries
• original tapestry
• one tapestry

Tapestry Conservation by Frances Lennard Discusses: four tapestries original tapestry one tapestry Loading...

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	81% buy the item featured on this page: The Unicorn Tapestries in The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Metropolitan Museum of Art Publications) 4.5 out of 5 stars (4) $18.21
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	5% buy The Lady and the Unicorn 3.9 out of 5 stars (121) $10.98

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Customer Reviews

4 Reviews 5 star:  (2) 4 star:  (2) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.5 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 5 of 5 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Luminous, March 12, 2006 By  Linda "katknit" (CT, United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)       One of the most beautiful, complex works of art that remain with us from the middle ages, the Unicorn Tapestries at the Cloisters Museum in New York City are a priceless treasure. Their monograph on the tapestries is a beautifully produced, meticulously researched, and well-written overview of the techniques used to weave them, the selection of colors, the symbolism of the figures and flowers, and the possible meaning of the entire sequence. To this day, no one knows for certain for whom they were woven and what they truly signify. If you haven't had a chance to see these wondrous tapestries in person, consider putting them on your list of things to do before you die. If you have been fortunate enough to make a visit, this book will certainly increase your understanding and appreciation of this masterpiece. We are fortunate to have them, though they probably truly belong in France or Belgium. 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless, October 7, 2006 By  Alyssa A. Lappen (Earth) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    I recall seeing these tapestries for the first time as a teen, when my high school class made a bus trip to the Cloisters Museum--deigned as a medieval castle--in the uppermost park in Manhattan. As I recall, I was on crutches at the time. Through the shallow, spiral stairs tested my coordination, however, the fabulous textiles, rich in color and mythology, completely distracted me from my injury. I've been back a few times over the years to see these priceless treasures, and each time, they have induced silent awe. Margaret Freeman's volume provides a great record of the collection, including fine pictorial details, and scholarly (but engrossing) explanations of the tapestry themes and motifs. This is an art book you'll be happy to have. 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet! Hard to find /this/ book anywhere!, January 18, 2009 By  Yoshi - See all my reviews Well, hard to find the original hardbound version that is! ;) This particular copy is considerably smaller than the original, but the images are just as brilliant and are wonderfully laid out within the pages of this phenominal book. As a lover of myth and legend--as well as fine art--this book suits both my tastes perfectly. The history of the tapestries (that we know of, at least) is richly detaild and it's always interesting to read the background story on any piece of art. If it's so awesome, why did I give it only four stars? My own picky nature, really--I wish it were the same as the original. ;) I recommend this to anyone who enjoys learning more about some of the finer things in life that have survived the test of time--these tapestries are truly gems!		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful I absolutely love the unicorn tapestries, and I fulfilled a childhood dream when i saw them at the Cluny museum in paris. Read more Published on May 9, 2000 by Britta A. Johnson Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Metropolitan Museum of Art (April 11, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300106300
• ISBN-13: 978-0300106305
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #630,022 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Luminous, March 12, 2006

By	Linda "katknit" (CT, United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

One of the most beautiful, complex works of art that remain with us from the middle ages, the Unicorn Tapestries at the Cloisters Museum in New York City are a priceless treasure. Their monograph on the tapestries is a beautifully produced, meticulously researched, and well-written overview of the techniques used to weave them, the selection of colors, the symbolism of the figures and flowers, and the possible meaning of the entire sequence. To this day, no one knows for certain for whom they were woven and what they truly signify. If you haven't had a chance to see these wondrous tapestries in person, consider putting them on your list of things to do before you die. If you have been fortunate enough to make a visit, this book will certainly increase your understanding and appreciation of this masterpiece. We are fortunate to have them, though they probably truly belong in France or Belgium.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless, October 7, 2006

By	Alyssa A. Lappen (Earth) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

I recall seeing these tapestries for the first time as a teen, when my high school class made a bus trip to the Cloisters Museum--deigned as a medieval castle--in the uppermost park in Manhattan. As I recall, I was on crutches at the time. Through the shallow, spiral stairs tested my coordination, however, the fabulous textiles, rich in color and mythology, completely distracted me from my injury.

I've been back a few times over the years to see these priceless treasures, and each time, they have induced silent awe.

Margaret Freeman's volume provides a great record of the collection, including fine pictorial details, and scholarly (but engrossing) explanations of the tapestry themes and motifs.

This is an art book you'll be happy to have.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet! Hard to find /this/ book anywhere!, January 18, 2009

By	Yoshi - See all my reviews

Well, hard to find the original hardbound version that is! ;) This particular copy is considerably smaller than the original, but the images are just as brilliant and are wonderfully laid out within the pages of this phenominal book. As a lover of myth and legend--as well as fine art--this book suits both my tastes perfectly. The history of the tapestries (that we know of, at least) is richly detaild and it's always interesting to read the background story on any piece of art. If it's so awesome, why did I give it only four stars? My own picky nature, really--I wish it were the same as the original. ;)

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys learning more about some of the finer things in life that have survived the test of time--these tapestries are truly gems!