Tapestry of the winged deers 1450

Here we have a tapestry of winged deers, crafted in the 15th century by the French artist Jean Fouquet. Consider this as an artifact deeply embedded in the courtly culture of the late Middle Ages. Fouquet, as a painter to the French court, was influenced by his exposure to humanist thought. The tapestry's imagery, rich with symbolism, speaks to the era's fascination with mythology and heraldry, using images such as lions and fleur-de-lys. The winged deer motif can be viewed through the lens of transformation and transcendence, reflecting the period's spiritual and intellectual aspirations. The tapestry also seems to depict a hunting scene, but it's one where the prey has wings! This adds an allegorical dimension to the work; you can almost feel a tension between the earthly and the divine. The tapestry serves as a window into the complex identities and worldviews of its time, where the blending of classical, Christian, and courtly influences shaped the artistic and cultural landscape.