The Three Fates thumbnail 1
The Three Fates thumbnail 2
+16
images
On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

This object consists of 2 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

The Three Fates

Tapestry
early 16th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The three fates, Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos, represent Death in this tapestry, as they triumph over the fallen body of Chastity. In mythology the Fates controlled the span of human life; Clotho was the spinner, Lachesis was the drawer of lots, and Atropos represented the inevitable end to life.
This is a fragment from a larger tapestry, from a series based on the poem I Trionfi (The Triumphs), written by the Italian poet Petrach between 1352 and 1374. The poem described a series of allegorical visions.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Tapestry
  • Tapestry Border
Titles
  • The Three Fates (popular title)
  • The Triumph of Death (popular title)
Materials and techniques
Tapestry woven in wool and silk
Brief description
Tapestry 'The Three Fates' ('The Triumph of Death'), Flemish, early 16th century.
Physical description
Tapestry with detached border, depicting the three fates triumphing over the fallen body of Chastity , wool and silk.
Dimensions
  • Height: 3048mm (Note: Taken from the paper records ('10 feet') and converted from Imperial to metric. )
  • Width: 2591mm (Note: Taken from the paper records ('8 feet 6 inches') and converted from Imperial to metric.)
Gallery label
(c. 2003)
THE TRIUMPH OF DEATH or THE THREE FATES
The three fates, Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos, who spin, draw out and cut the thread of Life, represent Death in this tapestry, as they triumph over the fallen body of Chastity. This is the third subject in Petrarch's poem The Triumphs. First, Love triumphs; then Love is overcome by Chastity, Chastity by Death, Death by Fame, Fame by Time and Time by Eternity.
FLEMISH (probably BRUSSELS); c. 1510-20
Museum number 65-1866
Subjects depicted
Literary referencePetrarch, <u>I Trionfi</u>
Summary
The three fates, Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos, represent Death in this tapestry, as they triumph over the fallen body of Chastity. In mythology the Fates controlled the span of human life; Clotho was the spinner, Lachesis was the drawer of lots, and Atropos represented the inevitable end to life.
This is a fragment from a larger tapestry, from a series based on the poem I Trionfi (The Triumphs), written by the Italian poet Petrach between 1352 and 1374. The poem described a series of allegorical visions.
Collection
Accession number
65&A-1866

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Record createdJanuary 8, 2003
Record URL
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