During the Gothic period, a remarkable set of tapestries were created. These works of art have come to be known collectively as the Lady with Unicorn Tapestries (or La Dame a la Licorne), for each tapestry features a variation upon a single theme - a beautifully stylized image of a noble lady accompanied by a unicorn.

In addition to the motif of the lady and her mythical beast, the tapestries share other similarities, including decorative mille fleurs (thousand flowers) backgrounds. In these tapestries, the delicate blossoms are highlighted against a bold red. The mille fleurs setting is, however, not merely for decoration - it also serves to unify the group of tapestries.

There are six tapestries in the Lady with the Unicorn series, and over the years scholars and art historians have debated the nuances of symbolic meaning in these works. However, it seems clear that five of the six tapestries represent the senses. The five senses - hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch - are therefore celebrated in these majestic tapestries.

Learn more about the individual tapestries: