Secondly, to the presentation of Jesus in the Temple.
All these tapestries are of extraordinary beauty. They are woven of silk and wool enriched with gold and silver threads.
Group 3. The Story of David and Bathsheba (10 Tapestries)
Three of these tapestries are mentioned in the Inventaire des Rois Catholiques under the heading “Bed,” having evidently formed part of the draperies of a bed belonging to some royal personage. These are of Flemish origin and date from the end of the fifteenth century. They are woven in silk, wool, and gold thread.
To these were later added seven bed canopies of Gothic design. The subjects of the tapestries are as follows:
(1) David surprises Bathsheba in her bath and falls in love with her beauty. For the sake of modesty, however, the artist has represented Bathsheba fully clothed, washing her hands at a small fountain.
(2) The Marriage of David and Bathsheba. David, from being a smooth-faced boy, has become a bearded man.
(3) The prophet Nathan reproaches David with his evil ways.
The remaining seven tapestries apparently represent some sylvan festival in which courtiers make offerings of fruit and flowers to ladies. The playing-cards are worth noticing.