Skip to content

Tapestry with Amadis Rescuing Oriana

François Spierincx , 1602

Description
Amadigi soccorre Oriana

Border as in previous tapestry, with the addition in the center of the upper and lower sides of squares in which Jupiter and Juno are depicted, respectively. Marks and lettering as in the previous tapestry. The tapestry depicts a forest in which appear: in the foreground, a lady offering her right hand to the kiss of a warrior; in the background, a knight facing some adversaries, after having slaughtered others; in the background, a narrow path giving access to a hermitage in front of which stands a large cross. On the clearing in front of the hermitage a monk greets a knight. In good state of preservation. Again, identification of the episode depicted is not easy. However, the presence of the hermitage seems to point to Canto IV of Orlando Furioso as the source.
From above, they would be depicted: Rinaldo who “without squire or company” arrives “through that immense wilderness” to a “cenobio” where he receives a “beautiful welcome.” There he is informed of the sad case of Guinevere, unjustly accused; in the sequel, Rinaldo defeats the slanderers in a tussle and propitiates Guinevere’s marriage to her beloved Ariodante (the two characters in the foreground?).

Data Sheet

Author

François Spiering, 1550 ca.-1631

Date

1602

Material and technique

wool; silk; silver threads

Measures

429.5 cm x 266 cm

Acquisition

Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli bequest, 1879

Inventory number

0401
location
Textile storage
collection
Textiles

The heterogeneous textile collection includes important antique Persian carpets, Renaissance tapestries and 180 textiles dating from the 14th to the 18th century. Among them, rare Italian velvets and precious 15th century Lombard altar frontals. Antique Coptic textiles and Lombard and Flemish laces and embroideries, dating from the 18th and the 19th century, were acquired or received as donations.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Stay updated on collections, exhibitions, events, and much more.