I’ve just visited this wonderful exhibition and I have to say it was quite an overwhelming experience. Firstly the show was well organised and there was plenty of time to walk slowly along viewing the embroidery. It took about 25 minutes to walk the 70m length. Displaying it horizontally was an excellent idea as you were inches from the surface and could see the details of stitching and design with astonishing clarity.
Although I studied the work at University until I saw the original I had no idea of the magnitude and artistry. The forward movement of the narrative, the colours, the liveliness and dynamism of the figures. It is, as you might expect, reminiscent of Viking sagas and Anglo-Saxon epics in it’s scale and human emotions.
As a work of art it is superlative and as a demonstration of the skill of the seamstresses’ art, remarkable. The feeling of urgency in the design of the scenes of the battle was palpable, the mayhem of death and destruction overflowing the border as well as the main scene. The horses in particular were executed with such intensity.
As a document of the actual historical fact it is ambiguous being produced by the victors. As an insight into everyday life it was a revelation; ploughing, sowing, feasting, architecture, weaponry, carpentry and shipbuilding and many impudent and humorous asides. I would highly recommend a visit.
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