The Unicorn is Killed
A hunt narrative illustrated on this tapestry. Two hunters drive their lances into the neck and chest of the unicorn, as a third delivers the coup de grâce from the back. In some contexts, the unicorn is an allegory for Christ; the large holly tree (often a symbol of Christ's Passion) rising from behind his head may conceivably be linked to this association. In the other episode, at right, a lord and a lady receive the body of the unicorn in front of their castle. They are surrounded by their attendants, with more curious onlookers peering through windows of the turret behind them. The dead animal is slung on the back of a horse, his horn already cut off but still entangled in thorny oak branches—perhaps an allusion to the Crown of
Size: 3431px × 3270px
Location: Netherlands
Photo credit: © Buyenlarge \ UIG / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: cryptozoology, fantasy, tapestry, unicorn
