Tapestry of Asia
late 17th century
Europeans were increasingly enthralled with the romance of far distant lands as more and more wonders of the world arrived on their doorstep. A vast array of metaphorical images depicted in the arts of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries evoked the lush sights, exotic sounds, and rich smells of those distant places. Allegorical representations of the continents, or the four quarters of the globe, were personified by female figures representing Europe, Asia, Africa, and America.
Wool; tapestry weave; natural dyes
155 7/8 x 155 7/8 in. (396 x 396 cm)
Gift of the Hearst Foundation, Inc.
62.199.2
Photo: Mark Woods
