The Triumph of Death over Chastity
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 Petrach between 1352 and 1374. The poem described a series of allegorical visions, and this scene represents the Triumph of Death over Chastity. Its inscription tells that however chaste and completely virtuous man may be, the Fates cut the thread of his life. In the end, there is neither king nor pope, neither great nor small who can escape death.
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 Death over Chastity, 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 Petrach between 1352 and 1374. The poem described a series of allegorical visions, and this scene represents the Triumph of Death over Chastity. Its inscription tells that however chaste and completely virtuous man may be, the Fates cut the thread of his life. In the end, there is neither king nor pope, neither great nor small who can escape death. 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 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 441-1883 |
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| Record created | November 24, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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