Needlepoint Tapestry Designs

"Tapestry" most accurately refers to woven pictorial designs.  In the beginning, these were mostly large pieces, designed to add privacy or warmth to otherwise large, cold spaces.  Many of the early tapestry designs told epic stories of battle or myth.  While you can buy a reproduction woven tapestry, needlepoint versions are also available.  This article includes a discussion of various styles of tapestry, along with a list of resources and suggestions in the right hand column.  If you're looking for traditional needlepoint, visit our Needlepoint page

There are roughly 3 types of needlepoint tapestry styles available: medieval, renaissance, and contemporary. These correspond to the periods when woven tapestries enjoyed high popularity.  A needlepoint "tapestry" is typically stitched on a screen printed brown Penelope canvas, 10/20 count.  It is up to the stitcher whether to work in petit point (20 count) to get that woven look, or gros point (10 count) to get finished!  This canvas is lighter weight and more flexible than either interlock or mono canvas. Floss, medici, tapestry yarn and Paternayan 3 ply Persian all work well on Penelope canvas. 

Medieval Tapestry

Bayeux Tapestry
The earliest famous tapestry, known as the Bayeux (or "Bayeaux") is actually an enormous embroidered wallhanging depicting events before and during the Battle of Hastings in 1066 in which the Norman French conquered England.  The Bayeux Tapestry measures  roughly 20 inches tall and 230 feet long.  It may have been commissioned in the 1070s by Bishop Odo of Bayeux, half-brother of William the Conqueror. Although it is called a tapestry, it is in fact an embroidery, stitched in woolen yarns on linen. Some historians argue that it was embroidered in Kent, England.  Needlepoint versions are now available.  Or you can purchase a modern reproduction.  Very simple, graphic images.

Cluny or "Lady of the Unicorn" Tapestry
The Lady and the Unicorn tapestries are among the most beautiful art treasures of the world.  They were woven late in the medieval period,  c.1500, likely in the workshops of Flanders. It was originally offered as an engagement present to Claude de Vista by Jean de Chabanne in 1512.  Since 1882 the tapestries have been housed in Paris in the once medieval cloister, the Musée de Cluny (hence the name "Cluny Tapestries"). The tapestries represent  the six senses — Hearing, Sight ("la Vue"), Touch ("le Toucher"), Smell, Taste ("Le Gout"), and Love ("A mon seul Desire") and are exceptionally detailed.

Other designs featured nobles of the period and their past- times, such as hunting and falconry.   Important designs from this series include The Chase (la Chasse) and The Ladies (les Damoiselles).   The famous Unicorn in Captivity comes from one of the hunting series, now on display at the Metropolitan Museum in New York.

Due to the size of the originals, reproductions from both series are available in a number of sizes, both ready-made and for needlepoint.  Cluny designs work well with the current decorating trend that mixes traditional woods with Italian styles in ironwork.

By the late 15th Century, the styles were becoming more florid and exhibited Italianate influences.  Through the 18th century, landscapes, pastoral scenes, and displays of romance dominated  tapestry weaving.  Colors tend to be lighter and brighter (and, we think, a lot of pink and beige).  During this time, weavers also began to copy paintings of the period.   The Gobelins factory in France was ultimately built to weave these newly popular designs.  Even today, a true "Gobelins" is a quality tapestry.  

Modern tapestries in the renaissance style are often copies "in the style of" or "apres" a particular artist, like Bottecelli, Boucher or Fragonard.  From this period, you will find  "verdures" which are lush scenes of pasture and meadow, often with gaily dressed couples.  Wine formed the basis for other popular tapestries.  With today's interest in wine and grapes as a decorative element, these designs would fit right in.

 The still life of fruit or florals in a vase was another popular motif for the period.  The floral designs, often on a black background, make for a stunning addition to any home. Some of the other renaissance styles require a very special home done in period styles.

Contemporary Tapestry Designs

We'll call a "contemporary tapestry" anything from the Victorian period forward.  The development of the industrial Jacquard loom in 1804 allowed for much more economical weaving, and was the foundation for modern tapestry weaving.  In contemporary woven tapestries, the selection is enormous, both imported and made in the US.  Styles range from realistic landscapes to geometric.  In needlepoint, the line gets fuzzy.  Some people call any screen printed design on 10/20 penelope canvas "a tapestry" so we'll include a short mention of them.

William Morris and Arts and Crafts Tapestries

Appalled by the current state of weaving in the Victorian period, designer and  artisan William Morris taught himself to weave and constructed a new loom to create wonderful designs in the old French style.  William Morris designs use soft colors, with lots of scrolls and natural influences.    A number of the William Morris designs have been beautifully translated into needlepoint by Beth Russell.  These fit well in modern homes, particularly those in Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau styles with prairie style or Stickley furnishings.

Art Reproductions
One can find needlepoint designs of many famous paintings, or "in the style of" famous artists, like Gaughin, Renoir, or Van Gogh as well as a number of lesser artists.  There is a style for every taste.

If there is a particular type of design you're looking for or have seen elsewhere, drop us an email and we'll check our catalogs.  We have 3 different suppliers with thousands of designs available.

General Designs
Anything you can imagine can be bought in a penelope needlepoint canvas - animals, children, nudes, landscapes from all parts of the world, ancient Egyptian themes, nautical designs, and more.  Most can be ordered with just a week or two lead time.

Prices on screen printed tapestry designs are much more reasonable than handpainted.  Europeans work mostly on the screen printed "tapestry" canvas, while handpainted mono canvas is more popular in the US.

Points of Interest

Learn more about tapestry

The Museum housing a replica Bayeux Tapestry

History of the Bayeux

Cloisters Museum - home of Unicorn in Captivity.

Maximillian's Hunt tapestry at the Louvre

William Morris needlepoint

William Morris Society

Needlepoint Books

Jill Gordon's Needlepoint, Glorious Tapestry Designs (chart book)

Tapestry Books

The Bayeux Tapestry: Monument to a...

Tapestry in the Renaissance: Art and Nagnificence

Medieval Life & Leisure in the...

Flemish Tapestry

The Unicorn Tapestries at the Metropolitan...