Circa 1520
Flemish, Brussels
Wool and silk
25″ x 18 1/2″

This charming tapestry of a young man standing before a building with a hilly landscape in the distance is undoubtedly a fragment of a much larger work. His richly decorated clothing, with light playing off the luxurious surfaces and deep folds, is typical of the Flemish style in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The nobleman has been removed from the context which might explain his expression and the beguiling tilt of his head. In keeping with Flemish tapestries of the era, he might be a figure from a depiction of an event out of a popular literary source, such as Ovid’s Metamorphosis. Calm and dignified, he seems on the verge of uttering something a little difficult to say. Or perhaps he is waiting to receive a hoped-for reply.

The tapestry has been cleaned by a conservator, and the greens, reds and blues are beautifully preserved.

In a complementary antique frame, the dimensions of which are 29″ high x 22 1/4″ wide.