Brussels tapestry

This tapestry is now on display in the Louvre Museum in Paris. It was woven for the Archduke Maximilian, who became the emperor Maximilian II, according to the cartoons of Pieter Cooecke of Alost and Frans Borremans of Brussels. It depicts Maximilian’s hunt in the middle of March. It is part of a series of 12 tapestries, showing views of Brussels and the Forêt de Soignes. A red horseman is visualised, who is the emperor Charles V. In the background, on the left, the ducal palace, burnt down in 1731, and the tower of the town hall. On the right is the church of St. Gudula, now St. Michael’s Cathedral.