Conserving the King Arthur Tapestry

Follow the conservation treatment of “King Arthur” from the “Nine Heroes Tapestries” series, among the oldest in The Met’s collection. The tapestry had not been treated since 1949, when it first came into The Met’s collection. Watch as conservators clean, stabilize, and reweave fragile areas of the work, finally reinstalling it at The Cloisters where it is now on view in gallery 18.

Featuring:
Kathrin Colburn, Kisook Suh, Anna Szalecki, Janina Poskrobko

Featured Artwork:

King Arthur (from the Nine Heroes Tapestries), ca. 1400. South Netherlandish. Wool warp, wool wefts, Overall (King Arthur (2a, f)): 168 × 117 in. (426.7 × 297.2 cm); Overall (Hebrew Worthies (2b, c, and h)): 168 × 250 in. (426.7 × 635 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Munsey Fund, 1932; Gift of John D. Rockefeller Jr., 1947 (32.130.3a; 47.101.4)

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© 2022 The Metropolitan Museum of Art

[stephenrgis]

Thank you for this wonderful video. Every visit to The Cloisters is very special for me, and watching this makes me want to return as soon as possible. I love the brilliant observation about "medieval pointillism, " which perfectly captures what is so special about these tapestries. I hope there will be more films about your outstanding collection.

[kingbaka]

I am so proud of everyone involved in conserving these amazing pieces. These women are truly masters! Thank you Met for showing us their expertise! Can't wait to see more

[sometimessiri.]

After seeing pictures of the unicorn tapestries in books as a kid it was always a dream of mine to see them in real life. On my first visit to NYC about 10 years ago I was able to visit this amazing museum and see them up close - thanks in part to the team behind the scenes who takes care of such treasures so they can be enjoyed now and hopefully years in the future.
Edit: I know the video is about a different set of tapestries but the same sentiment applies. I'm a bit of a medieval nerd and this entire museum was right up my alley and one of the most fascinating places I've visited.

[jakemoeller]

Very enjoyable short video. I could have watched more, especially the repair.

[HKogen]

the happy faces of the two conservationists in the end is the best reward for such a meticulous work.

[KrisRyanStallard]

I would have been happy with a longer and more detailed video. This is fascinating!

[victoriadiesattheend.]

I wish I could have spent my life working in conservation. I never knew how to go about even beginning to learn or get an education in such a skill. It's just such fascinating, absorbing and rewarding work.

[vernonbowling]

Imagine having the skills to weave such masterpieces.

[annrotunno]

This was facinating. Thank you for taking the time to capture this process.

[NathanS__]

Wow that's amazing. I would have never guessed that the tapestry would be submerged like that for cleaning.

And now I want tapestry curtains.

[laracraft]

Incredible work as just the cleaning alone would take so much organising as shown in the video. Fantastic how the older teach the youth and pass on those skills love to see this, which this happened much more often in the heritage skills but glad it is coming back a little bit now 😀❤️

[sobahmk]

I hope I’m able to conserve something of this importance some day ❤️

[hdmc]

한국인이 영상에서 일하시는 걸 보니 저도 동기부여가 되요!!! 너무 멋지세요!!❤
And thank you for this wonderful video❤❤

[williamparker]

always strikes me how some people, like these and archeologists have a real passion for their chosen of us never find this level of passion over our careers

[mjdayetube]

Thank you for your diligence in this field.

[SpanishEclectic]

An amazing series of tapestries. It's great to see them conserved, and preserved for people to enjoy in the future. They could have been so easily lost to fire or damaged during a war during their long existence. I'll have to come and see them in person. Thank you for your hard but careful work.

[susantaylor]

Wonderful exhibition selecting such diverse paintings - Luved it thank you 😊

[Ellieways]

Hope you all will keep us updated on the restoration of the other pieces as well!! 😄😁🙌

[franzrogar]

Wonderful work. Personally, I'd love to see in the missing parts a trace of the missing structures to facilitate the reading of the overall tapestry; something that it is sometimes done with mosaic lacunae.

[robertafierro]

Id like to see this museum go back to the SUGGESTED admission price. They are separating the classes of people who wish to share the experiences but don't have the money to do so. ART is for everyone, not just the well off..