Group 2. The Story of the Holy Virgin
1st Series. Consists of four pieces which once bore in the corner as a heraldic mark a small lion embroidered in gold on a black ground. Cartoons said to be by Van Eyck. Of Flemish origin, probably belonging to the Bruges atelier.
These tapestries belonged to Philip the Handsome and Juana the Mad. Transferred by Charles V to the monastery of Yuste, and again removed by Philip II to the monastery of the Escorial, they were in constant use for the religious ceremonies attended by the Royal Household owing to their unusual beauty.
The first piece represents God commanding the Archangel Gabriel to announce her destiny to the Virgin Mary.
The second piece represents the Annunciation.
The third piece represents the Birth of Christ.
The fourth piece represents the Coronation of the Holy Virgin.
2nd Series. In spite of the similarity of the borders the two tapestries here treated do not form a continuous series with those previously described. They probably came from workrooms of Brussels. Designer and weaver unknown, but resemblance has been noted between the figures of Adam and Eve and similar figures on a triptych designed by the brothers Van Eyck.
The subjects of these two tapestries are obscure. They appear, however, to refer—
First, to the fulfilment of the prophecies as to the birth of the Son of God;