Flemish Baroque Mythological Tapestry

“The Story of Diana”

Brussels 17th Century

In classical mythology, Diana, the youthful Roman and Hellenistic goddess of the moon and hunting was considered the patroness of the countryside and crossroads. Also referred to as the triple goddess; the divine huntress, the Moon goddess and the goddess of the nether world, Hekate. She is equated with the Greek goddess Artemis. Diana is a daughter of Jupiter and Leto and Apollo’s twin sister. She is the chaste and youthful moon goddess and the goddess of fertility and childbirth. She is usually depicted in the open countryside, equipped with bow and arrows and accompanied by her devoted nymphs.

The object of various mythological tales, she was the subject of numerous narrative depictions by Medevil and Renaissance painters and tapestry designers. Depicting mythology at this time was a way to demonstrate how well read and educated one was in order to convey to others the knowledge, and more specifically, the power and authority that these patrons held.

Central to the composition the goddess is identified by the crescent-shaped diadem in her hair, her bow and arrow quiver, and is accompanied by her women companions, the virginal nymphs, all clearly depicted in the present tapestry. Accompanied by a hunting dog she gestures to the figure to her right, a nymph also armed with a bow and arrow quiver who seems to gesture inquisitively. The two nymphs to the right of the goddess my be engaged in disharmony regarding thistles, considered to be a ‘love herb’ that could arouse desire as the nymph to the rear of the pair appears to be restraining her companion, who may, perhaps, be reaching for what may be construed as the growing thistle. The plant may symbolize the temptations of the flesh that the chaste Diana and her nymphs have to overcome. In the background upper right two nymphs, one blowing a sounding horn, announce the arrival of a horse carrying a stag on it’s back while two others converse and gesture accompanied by two hunting dogs.

AF