Belgian tapestry, ca. 1600

Belgian tapestry, ca. 1600.
"Paul in Thessalonica."
Hand-woven wool.
Signed.
Measurements: 315 x 310 cm.

In this important Flemish tapestry from the Baroque period, a biblical theme from the Acts of the Apostles is developed. Occupying the central field, of considerable dimensions, the visit of Saint Paul to the synagogue of Thessalonica, Greek city in whose synagogue he began to preach during several consecutive Saturdays, has been represented with great narrative eagerness. Using the Scriptures, he succeeded in converting some people, although he also aroused suspicion. Here we see, in the faces and gestures of the Jews, a great variety of attitudes before the sermons: reflective, distrustful, indifferent, passionate countenances? The clothing and architecture have been described in a sumptuous and aristocratic manner. The chromatic hallmarks that dynamize the composition stand out (reds and blues against ochers and siennas). The border also hosts characters, especially allegories, such as Charity and Victory, as well as saints housed in niches.

The narrative and chromatic richness achieved with an intricate pattern, characteristic of the Brussels workshops, stands out.
From the late Middle Ages until the 18th century, Flemish tapestries, as well as the pictorial production of the masters of Flemish painting, became a luxury commodity exported throughout Europe. The special relationship that was established between the region known as Flanders (an imprecise way of referring to the northern area of the Burgundian State) and the medieval Christian peninsular kingdoms (especially the Crown of Castile, and later the Hispanic Monarchy -which incorporated the Habsburg Netherlands-), from where much of the wool that reached the textile workshops of Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, Brussels, Mechelen, Arras or Tou.