Yesterday mum & I met up and went to see the new unicorn tapestries at Stirling Castle. These tapestries have been specially commissioned as copies of originals which are now based in New York. When they are completed, there will be a sequence of 7 scenes which tell the story of the hunt for the mythical unicorn. The Unicorn is seen as a symbol for Christ, and also for love. (I don't want to spoil things if you plan to visit this exhibition, so if so, you may not want to look at all the images I have below.)
Currently only 4 of the tapestries are completed and are on show within the beautifully spacious chapel. Eventually they will all be in here. Meanwhile you can go and watch them weaving the next tapestry in a little studio barn at the rear of the castle. I overheard the weaver saying she would be finished in 2011 - and I think she was just talking about the tapestry that she is currently on! (but maybe all of them?)
This one was my favourite - just for the dark background and all the wild flowers woven into it. On the actual tapestry is a tiny frog (cut off in this picture) you have to hunt to find it!
I took this photo before noticing the 'no photos' sign in the weavers gallery - so you will just have to go and see for yourself! What was remarkable was watching someone in 'slow' time - knowing that it will take months, possibly years to complete. The imagery of her work was so beautiful in itself, shade cards, small woven samples of part of the image... The whole tapestry is drawn as a massive 'cartoon' in black lines on a white roll which is suspended behind the working frame. It looked so complex - but I suppose like quilting it is working on the part you are on, and eventually the whole piece comes together.
This ceiling is in the main hall - I like a good ceiling, me. Now I can't remember if that is King-post or Queen-post - but at the other end are the 2 thrones for the King and Queen. (I must confess I was in art mode for looking at the tapestries, and didn't really pay much attention to the history!)
Putting that on my list to go and see sometime. I also like the tapestries that they've had hanging in the cafe for a while.
And also keep hoping that the Dovecot Studios will do an open day in their new home where you can actually see the work in progress.
Posted by: Rhiannon | May 15, 2009 at 11:22 PM
How wonderful to know that there are actually still skilled folks who can re-create the Unicorn series. Of course, I have seen the Met's tapestries many times, and am always awestruck to imagine how any large tapestries of yore were made.
I would love to some day visit a studio where such work was going on. It's another artform that I would love to try ... on a much more modest scale! xo
Posted by: frances | May 18, 2009 at 03:10 PM
Thank you for sharing these lovely images of your day at Stirling. I'll try and get over there in August when we are staying at St Andrews xxx
Posted by: janjan | May 18, 2009 at 05:09 PM
It's amazing to watch them, true craftspeople at work - glad you had a nice day out C, catch up soon? I feel I should know the answer to your ceiling but all that architecture nonsense is slowly fading from my mind....Lx
Posted by: my baboo | May 18, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Thank you so much for showing these exquisite tapestries.We visited Stirling Castle in 2004 and I remember seeing a weaver working on the one with the wild flowers. I bought a tiny silver unicorn to sew on to a applique picture of a jacaranda tree I am working on to remind me of that wonderful day at Stirling.It's marvellous to see those pictures.
xxxx sally anne
Posted by: quiteahandful | May 25, 2009 at 10:28 PM