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The Unicorn In Captivity Painting Analysis

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Founded in South Netherlands dating between 1495 and 1505, The Unicorn in Captivity is now located in the museum, The Cloisters, in New York. This tapestry is believed to be the last one made, but that still remains unsure. The illustrator has also remained unknown. The Unicorn in Captivity is a beautiful abstract tapestry, the most popular out of the seven tapestry series. The unicorn in this artwork has a peaceful look on its face, although it is chained to a pomegranate tree surrounded by flowers. The main focus is the beautiful white unicorn, with a tapered spiral horn coming out of its forehead, sitting calmly chained up to a pomegranate tree surrounded by a wooden fence. The unicorn lays gracefully with a smile on its face and eyes looking as if it is hypnotized, looking out into space. It has little pointy ears, similar to a real horse, and its mane draping down from its horn to its back. The horn of the Unicorn is what truly gives the distinguished presence that it carries. The size of the horn is Without the horn, it would simply look like a normal horse. The unicorns mane appears as if it was very well maintained. It is short in length with small loose curls. The form of the way the unicorn lays appears to be very relaxed, as if it is patiently waiting for something …show more content…

This artwork has many clues as to what it could symbolize but everything, to this day, remains very unclear. The unicorn in this sense is seen as Christ because no one has ever seen it. Many others believe that the unicorn could symbolize matrimony because of the pomegranate tree next to the unicorn, which symbolizes fertility and marriage. With that being said if you look closely you will see two initials, an A and a backwards E, appear twice in this tapestry, which could symbolize Adam and Eve. As unclear as the theories are behind the meaning of this tapestry, it could possibly have no meaning, or many

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