The Hunt of the Unicorn.
The original tapestries were made in the late 15th or early 16th century, likely in the Southern Netherlands.
No one knows exactly who commissioned them, but they were probably created for a noble family—maybe as a wedding gift or a symbol of devotion. Today, they’re housed at The Met Cloisters in New York, and honestly, they’re overwhelming in the best way. Woven from wool, silk, and silver threads, each panel is packed with detail and meaning. The tapestry is full of tiny, thoughtful elements—medieval plants believed to cure poison, animals from all over the known world, and hunters off in the distance, just starting to realize what they’ve found. There’s so much happening, but what stuck with me was the stillness around the fountain. It feels like time slows down there—like it’s holding something sacred, without trying too hard to explain it.
It’s just one detail in a much bigger story, but it carries its own weight. Myth, nature, and meaning, all layered into something small and still.
Explore the original The Hunt of the Unicorn tapestry series here: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/467075
Learn more about The Met Cloisters collection here: https://www.metmuseum.org/visit/met-cloisters
Jorge
I did this tattoo for @_niklahum, based on a small detail from The Hunt of the Unicorn tapestries. The idea wasn’t mine—Nikla brought it to me, already thoughtful and precise about what he wanted. We focused on the fountain—a tall, white structure at the center of one panel. It's easy to miss amid the larger narrative, but it holds a quiet power. Surrounded by birds, it’s where the unicorn kneels, purifying the water with its horn. Removed from the full scene, the fountain becomes its own symbol—still, intricate, and sacred.
links of interest:
Explore the original The Hunt of the Unicorn tapestry series (The Met):
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/467075Learn more about The Met Cloisters collection (New York):
https://www.metmuseum.org/visit/met-cloistersFull overview of the seven Unicorn Tapestries, panel by panel:
https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/unto/hd_unto.htmSymbolism of the unicorn in medieval art and lore:
https://www.metmuseum.org/blogs/now-at-the-met/2015/unicorn-in-captivityAcademic article on sacred symbolism in The Unicorn Tapestries:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/776764Plants and animals in the tapestries (interactive botanical guide):
https://www.metmuseum.org/-/media/files/learn/teens/met-teen-unicorn-tapestries.pdfVideo tour of the Unicorn Tapestries at The Met Cloisters:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1Pl8CzNzNw