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Camel Riders, presumably from a Wild Man series

A work made of wool, slit tapestry weave; two selvages present, top and bottom edges.
CC0 Public Domain Designation

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  • A work made of wool, slit tapestry weave; two selvages present, top and bottom edges.

Date:

1475/1510

Artist:

Franco-Flemish

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 reveal a fascination with imaginary creatures—record men and women dressed in wild costume for carnivals, courtly events, and other festivities. Despite the aggressive gestures and hostile manners of the men, this scene may represent a mock joust in which merchant rivalry was harmlessly expressed during an urban feast.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Textiles

Title

Camel Riders, presumably from a Wild Man series

Place

Flanders (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

Made 1475–1510

Medium

Wool, slit tapestry weave; two selvages present, top and bottom edges

Dimensions

343.5 × 248.9 cm (135 1/4 × 98 in.)

Credit Line

Robert Allerton Endowment

Reference Number

1929.611

IIIF Manifest  The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.

https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/86331/manifest.json

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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