The End of the Hunt c. 1650

This tapestry, "The End of the Hunt," employs wool and silk to depict a woodland hunting scene, its creators are unknown. The dense composition is immediately striking, framed by elaborate floral borders and figures that draw the eye inward. Observe how the tapestry uses a dynamic arrangement of figures and trees to guide your gaze through the narrative, creating a rhythm that mimics the hunt's energy. The use of texture and color in the weaving serves not just to represent depth but also to emphasize the artifice inherent in the medium. The depicted figures are set against a backdrop that blends reality with symbolic representation. The tension between the naturalistic rendering of the hunt and the decorative stylization of the tapestry form a commentary on the relationship between nature and culture. Consider, then, how the structure of the tapestry itself—its material presence and construction—contributes to its meaning. The tapestry challenges our perception by questioning the boundaries between art, craft, and representation.