UNKNOWN WEAVER, French
(active late 14th century)

Apocalypse (detail)

c. 1380
Tapestry, height 430 cm
Chateau d'Angers, Angers

The most popular picture-books of the thirteenth century were those that illustrated St John's vision of the Apocalypse. The standard Apocalypse cycle, containing numerous scenes, was first developed in England. Those scenes were later used in creating other art forms, like the monumental tapestry woven in Paris for Louis d'Anjou. One element that was increasingly emphasized in both manuscript and monumental versions was St John himself, standing as a spectator within each of the scenes. He served to mediate the visionary experience for the beholder, sometimes looking through a window onto the action, but always registering an active response to what he is seeing.