Meticulously woven by hand with wool, silk, and gilt-metal thread, the tapestry collection of the Sun King, Louis XIV of France, represents the highest achievements of the art form. Intended to enhance the king’s reputation by visualizing his manifest glory and to promote the kingdom’s nascent mercantile economy, the royal collection of tapestries included antique and contemporary sets that followed the designs of the greatest artists of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, including Raphael, Giulio Romano, Rubens, Vouet, and Le Brun. Ranging in date from about 1540 to 1715 and coming from weaving workshops across northern Europe, these remarkable works portray scenes from the bible, history, and mythology. As treasured textiles, the works were traditionally displayed in the royal palaces when the court was in residence and in public on special occasions and feast days. They are still little known, even in France, as they are mostly reserved for the decoration of elite state residences and ministerial offices. This catalogue accompanies an exhibition of fourteen marvelous examples of the former royal collection that will be displayed exclusively at the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center from December 15, 2015, to May 1, 2016. Lavishly illustrated, the volume presents for the first time in English the latest scholarship of the foremost authorities working in the field.

The study of medieval clothing and textiles reveals much about the history of our material culture, as well as social, economic and cultural history as a whole. This book makes use of archaeological finds and text references in order to examine this history, providing on overview of historic fashions.

Scandal rocks Depression Era New York while a Mayor’s aide pursues her dark past in a mystery full of “colorful characters and rich historical flavor” (Publishers Weekly). November, 1936. Lane Sanders breaks away from her busy job at City Hall to confront childhood nightmares still lingering in Rochester, Michigan. An unknown assailant left Lane with scattered memories after viciously murdering her parents. But one memory of a solid gold pawn piece remains—and with it lies a startling connection between the midwestern tragedy and a current mystery haunting the Big Apple. Meanwhile, panic grips Manhattan after a respected banker disappears, threatening the already crippled financial industry—not to mention the pristine reputation of Lane’s boss, Mayor Fiorello “Fio” La Guardia. Fio’s fight to restore order leads him into conflict with a familiar foe intent on ending his mayoral term—and his life. Now it’s up to Lane to both silence old ghosts and derail present-day schemes. But when the investigation awakens a darker side of her own nature, will she—and the city she loves—still forge ahead into a prosperous new age? Or is history doomed to repeat itself? Agatha Award—Best Historical Novel Nominee Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award Nominee

Reproduction of the original: Needlework as Art by Lady M. Alford