Musée National du Moyen Age

Particular masterpieces of art exercise such universal fascination that it is difficult to consider them objectively. The six panels that compose the tapestry piece "La Dames à la Licorne" fall into this indefinable delightful category. Undoubtedly there has been a recent surge in the popularity of these pieces with colorful account of the tapestry’s conception and execution in the recent best selling historical fiction workThe Lady and the Unicorn by Tracey Chevalier.


exhibition signage

The Museum has enhanced the fascination by displaying the works in a specially conceived and constructed circular room to encircle the viewer. The combined effects of the subdued lighting and the gentle warm glow of the lighting imbued the room with a sense of calm and reverence. Speaking tones are hushed and movements subdued as the visitor enters the exhibit.


chambre circulaire

The tapestries’ cartoon was known to have drawn in Paris and made in Flanders in the late 15th century. The tapestry was re-discovered in the 19th century by the illustrious writer, George Sand. She saw it on several occasions at a chateau in Boussac, France. All the tapestries feature a lithe, elegant lady accompanied by a docile unicorn, a cuddly lion and a mischievous monkey and boasts the pennant of the LeViste family with three crescent moons.


LeViste coat-of-arms

In taste, the lady chooses a sweet for a golden dish held by her maid while the monkey pops a stolen candy into his mouth.
Hearing shows the lady plays an organ as her maid pumps the bellows.
In sight,, the unicorn is mesmerized by his image in the mirror held by the lady.
Smell has the young lady weaving a wreath of flowers while the monkey sits nearby in a basket, pressing a bloom to his nose.
In the tapestry that portrays the sense of touch, the woman delicately holds the horn of the unicorn in her left hand.


cheeky monkey

In the enigmatic sixth panel the young lady is depicted in front of a tent emblazoned with the banner that reads À mon seul Désir, "To my sole desire". Her hand is resting in a cask of jewels. Is the lady renouncing the riches, putting them back in their container or is she greedily taking them?
What ever you choose to believe, visitors of all ages will enjoy these celebrated portrayals of medieval life in allegory. But, to truly get the most of seeing these tapestries, I would highly recommend reading some something about its iconography and history. There is so much delightful complex meaning hidden in this seemingly simple textile.