Group 16. The Apocalypse (8 Tapestries)
The Revelations of St. John were a favourite subject with the mediæval tapissier, yet strange to say there are few complete series remaining. In the Cathedral at Angers is a series of sixty-seven pieces made in 1377 by Nicolas Bataille for Louis I of Anjou. A little later two other series on the same subject were executed at Arras, one being destined for Philip the Good. In time this came into the possession of Charles V, and is mentioned in the Inventory of 1536. No further mention, however, is made of this tapestry in any Spanish documents, and Pinchart conjectures that it was probably lost in the fire that destroyed the Palace of Brussels in 1731.
The series included in this collection was made by Wilhelm Pannemaker, and purchased by Philip II. We find the following paragraph in the discharge of the Treasurer-General in the year 1562:
“To Wilhelm Pannemaker, tapestry maker, who came from Flanders to bring the Tapestry of the Apocalypse made for the service of H.M., sixty thousand maravedi which H.M. pays him all at once for the expenses of his journey (from his own country whither he returns), as witness the command of H.M., the 31st December, 1561. The said tapestry maker has received the money the 31st of the said month.”
The tapestries are fine specimens woven in silk, wool, and gold thread. M. Ouiffrey attributes the cartoons to Albert Dürer, but the Count Valencia de Don Juan prefers to regard them as by an unknown artist working under the influence of Dürer and Jean de Bruges. The designs are very beautiful, more especially the borders, which are little masterpieces of grace and elegance. The plates are explained by short Latin legends in the middle of the upper border.
Tapestry No. 1. “St. John writes a true description of his vision to the Bishop of the Seven Churches of Asia. He moralizes and instructs them.”
Tapestry No. 2. “This great mystery illuminated by Divine Grace and manifested in Christ the Saviour of Mankind. Those who have been made pure by His Blood shall remain strong and shall not be turned from the Holy way by the whirlwind.”
Tapestry No. 3. “The Gospel spreads through the world as to the sound of trumpets. The Apostolic dogma and holy doctrine resounds in the Temple, drives back sin, and plants a true love of the faith in every spirit.”
Tapestry No. 4. “The fruits of virtue, precious for their works, encourage the multitude of the elect; that which is watched over by the jealous enemy is destroyed by the help of angels.”
Tapestry No. 5. “Jealousy never attains the peace of virtue; nevertheless the latter shall be oppressed till the end of the world. Certain hope and the faith of the strong never fail, though the ungodly mock those who live in the fear of God.”