Purpose

• Tapestries adorned and insulated the homes of the wealthy.Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
  
  In the 13th century, the Catholic church commissioned religious tapestries depicting scenes from the Bible to enlighten the congregation, most of whom were illiterate. In addition to providing edifying religious pictures in the church, tapestries were prized for their warmth; they served to insulate the stone walls of drafty homes among the aristocracy in the Middle Ages. Kings were known to take artists into battle with them to create sketches of noble scenes for the court weavers to make into tapestries as a celebration of victory.
  
  

Subjects

• At the height of their popularity in the 15th century, traditional tapestries often depicted Bibilical or allegorical scenes. Some featured mythological images while still others showed victorious armies or parties of hunters. Tapestry ownership was prestigious, and many aristocrats commissioned them for display in their manors. The most famous tapestry, "The Lady and the Unicorn" is part of the Louvre's permanent collection in Paris.
  
  

Modern Tapestries

• The dying art of handcrafted tapestry was revived by William Morris in 19th century England.Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  William Morris singlehandedly revitalized the flagging art of tapestry in the late 19th century when he taught himself to weave using an old French manual and repopularized the craft with his natural motifs. Morris' Tree of Life tapestry design remains a favorite to this day. As a result of Morris' influence, modern tapestry often features landscapes or other nature scenes rather than the more traditional groups of figures engaged in a historical event.
  
  

Nonwestern Tapestry

• While most home decorators think of European tapestry as the only traditional form, be aware that other cultures have practiced this handicraft for centuries as well. The tapestries of Africa conventionally portray peasants engaged in daily life while Egyptian tapestries were used as inserts in clothing design, traditionally in a repeating geometric pattern in shades of brown and gold.