The Lady and the Unicorn/The Hunt of the Unicorn

The Lady and the Unicorn is the modern title given to a series of six tapestries woven in Flanders of wool and silk from designs ("cartoons") drawn in Paris in the 15th century.

Five of the tapestries are commonly interpreted as depicting the five senses - taste, hearing, sight, smell and touch. The sixth displays the words "A mon seul desir" (meaning: "to my only desire"), whose meaning is obscure, but has been interpreted as representing love or understanding.

The Hunt of the Unicorn is the series of seven tapestries dating from 1495-1505. Much of the tapestries' history is disputed and there are many theories about their original purpose and meaning. However it seems likely that they were commissioned by Anne of Brittany to celebrate her marriage to Charles VIII King of France.

The two major interpretations of the tapestries hinge on pagan and Christian symbolism. The pagan interpretation focuses on the medieval lore of beguiled lovers, whereas Christian writings interpret the unicorn and its death as the Passion of Christ.