Minneapolis Institute of Art

Large-Leaf Verdure Tapestry Fragment with Birds

Flanders

Date

16th century

Medium

Wool, silk, tapestry weave

Department

European Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

The term verdure—which means “greenery” in both French and English—is used for tapestries covered with a design of large leaves, often with flowers and, in higher-quality examples, birds and animals. Such all-over patterning was easily adapted to tapestries of any size. It did not require the precise delineation and complex shading needed for human figures, so weaving could progress relatively rapidly. As a result, verdures were available to a wide range of buyers, including small landowners and merchants as well as nobles and royalty. Flanders, Europe

The authoritative record is held by Minneapolis Institute of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.