8. Decorative Arts (12-20th c.)

The tapestry must have formed part of a series of Passion scenes that were common in the period. Tapestries with a religious subject matter often decorated the larger and richer cathedrals north of the Alps, especially in winter, in order to reduce the cold emitted by the walls. In time of war, it was relatively easy to remove them and to store them in a safe place. French-Flemish tapestries often include motifs that appear also in this work, such as the stubbly, not bearded, face or the haloes studded with large gems. The richly coloured brocades already indicate the presence of the Renaissance also in the north.