The Triumph of Fame over Death
Tapestry
ca. 1507-1510 (made)
ca. 1507-1510 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place Of Origin |
This tapestry is from a series of six based on the poem I Trionfi (The Triumphs), written by the Italian poet Petrarch between 1352 and 1374. The poem described a series of allegorical visions, and this scene represents the Triumph of Fame over Death. It shows a number of legendary heroes and mortals rising from their graves, including Paris, Tristram and Charlemagne.
The Humanist theme, secular yet improving, was popular in King Henry VIII's court, and used as the subject for many types of decorative art as well as tapestries.
The Humanist theme, secular yet improving, was popular in King Henry VIII's court, and used as the subject for many types of decorative art as well as tapestries.
object details
| Categories | |
| Object Type | |
| Materials and Techniques | Tapestry with wool warp and weft and a few silk wefts |
| Brief Description | Tapestry, the Triumph of Fame over Death, Brussels, 1507-1510 |
| Physical Description | Tapestry woven, with about 6 or 7 warp threads per cm. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | purchased from E Lowengard, Paris. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Literary Reference | Petrarch, <i>I Trionfi</i> |
| Summary | This tapestry is from a series of six based on the poem I Trionfi (The Triumphs), written by the Italian poet Petrarch between 1352 and 1374. The poem described a series of allegorical visions, and this scene represents the Triumph of Fame over Death. It shows a number of legendary heroes and mortals rising from their graves, including Paris, Tristram and Charlemagne. The Humanist theme, secular yet improving, was popular in King Henry VIII's court, and used as the subject for many types of decorative art as well as tapestries. |
| Associated Objects | |
| Bibliographic Reference | Thomas P Campbell, Henry VIII and the Art of Majesty: Tapestries at the Tudor court, Yale University Press, 2007, pp.149-155 Thomas Campbell, The Art and Splendour of Henry VIII's Tapestry Collection, in: The inventory of King Henry VIII. Volume II, Textiles and dress,eds. Maria Hayward, Philip Ward and David Starkey, Harvey Miller Publishers for the Society of Antiquaries of London, London 2012, pp. 9 - 65, 25 - 26, illustrated with three images. |
| Collection | |
| Accession Number | 439-1883 |
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| record created | November 24, 2008 |
| Record URL |