The Lady and the Unicorn - Definition and Overview

The Lady and the Unicorn (French: La dame à la licorne) is the title of a cycle of French tapestries often considered one of the greatest works of art of the Middle Ages in Europe. They are estimated to have been woven in the early 16th century, in Flanders. They depict the six senses - hearing, sight, taste, touch, smell, and "A mon seul désir" (meaning: "to my only desire"), often interpreted as love. Each of the six tapestries depicts a noble lady with the unicorn and some include a monkey or a lion in the scene.

The tapestries are done in the style of mille-fleurs (meaning: "thousand flowers").

The cycle is currently held in the Musée Cluny (Musée du Moyen-Age), Paris (France).

For details on the history of the tapestry designs, dating from the mid-12th century courtship of Eleanor of Aquitaine by Henry of Anjou, please see the discussion page.