Art Institute of Chicago

Alexander Kneeling before Jaddus at the Gates of Jerusalem [left section] from The Story of Alexander the Great

Adapted from designs attributed to Nicolaas van Orley (died 1586/91)

Date

c. 1600

Medium

Wool and silk; slit, dovetailed, and double interlocking tapestry weave Warp: Count; 6 warps per cm; wool: S-ply of three Z-spun elements; diameter: 1.5 mm Weft: Count: varies from 17 to 28 wefts per cm; wool; S-ply of two Z-spun elements; pairs of S-ply ol two Z-spun elements; diameters: 0.5–1.5 mm; silk: S-ply of two Z-twisted elements; pairs of S-ply of two Z-twisted elements; diameters: 0.35–1.0 mm; wool and silk: paired yarns of S-ply of two Z-spun wool elements and S-ply of two Z-twisted silk elements; diameter: 0.8 mm

Culture

Brussels

Department

Textiles

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Numerous Flemish tapestry sets depicting stories from the life of Alexander the Great (r. 336–323 b.c.) survive from the 16th and 17th centuries, attesting to the popularity of the subject. This scene depicts the story of Alexander’s conversion to Judaism. After successful military campaigns in Syria and Gaza, Alexander led his armies to Jerusalem to conquer the city. In a dream, God told Jaddus, the high priest of the Jews, to open the gates of the city to the conqueror. The people of Jerusalem welcomed Alexander and in turn were spared.

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