Camel Riders, presumably from a Wild Man series
1475-1510
Medium
Wool, slit tapestry weave Warp: Count: 3–4 warps per cm; wool: S-ply of two Z-spun elements; diameters: 1.0–1.2 mm Weft: Count: varies from 10 to 17 wefts per cm; wool: single S-spun elements; diameters: 0.5–1.2 mm
Dimensions
343.5 × 248.9 cm (135 1/4 × 98 in.)
Classification
weaving - tapestry
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
86331
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This tapestry includes two merchants dressed as wild men in tunics, riding camel-like animals. The identification of the men as merchants is supported by the merchant’s mark on a bale at the left of the scene. Wild men are mythical creatures believed to have inhabited the woods and mountains of Europe. Depictions of wild men lend themselves to two opposing narratives: uncivilized beasts existing outside society, and peaceful creatures living harmoniously with nature. Contemporary accounts—which ...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...