Five centuries of tapestry from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

the long version

The collection of tapestries at The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco is one of the most important and varied in the country. In Five Centuries of Tapestry, Anna Gray Bennett catalogues one hundred magnificent examples of the art of tapestry, from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century. Bennett introduces the book with a discussion of the history of tapestry design, weaving techniques, structural aspects of color, and the use of dyes. Each successive section then focuses on an important period in the development of tapestry making, illustrating and explaining the trends and techniques that changed the course of the art. With every page, the rich history of tapestry in the Western world gracefully unfolds, creating a book as intricate, diverse, and informative as its subject.