FRENCH TAPESTRY

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The hunts of Maximilian comprise a set of twelve huge tapestries devoted to hunting scenes, namely the falcon hunt and the hunts of deer and wild boar. The design of the set is attributed to Bernaert van Orley, the leading tapestry designer of his generation. The settings are located in the Soignes forest, the imperial hunting ground near Brussles. Several of the portraits in the series refer to members of the imperial entourage around Charles V. Each tapestry represents the twelve months of the year and therefore the twelve months of the hunt. 

This particular scene takes place in December and depicts a hunter on horseback about to spear an enormous wild boar. The animal is being attacked by three great hunting dogs (one of which is in armor) and two small dogs, while another lies dead on the ground. Two hunts run to assist the horseman with wooden boar-spears in hand. In the background, several valets and hunters pursue another wild boar, while other participants blow their hunting horns.

It has been suggested that the central horseman is a portrait of Ferinand of Habsburg, brother of Charles V, who was elected king of the Romans and futher Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in 1531. Ferdinand was a passionate hunter and did indeed attend several hunting parties in the Soignes forest.

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The Hunts of Maximillian

17th Century Bruxelles Design Style

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