"This tapestry shows three scenes from the Passion cycle, which tells of the sufferings of Christ leading up to and following the crucifixion. These scenes are all that remain from hangings probably depicting the whole cycle. The scenes shown are the lamentation at the foot of the cross, the preparation for the entombment, and a resurrection scene, which is combined with Christ blessing Mary Magdalene as he steps from the tomb. \n\nThe tapestry is exquisitely and richly woven with gold thread used not only in the ornate haloes and garments but also in the foliage of trees and flowers. It is thought to have been woven in Arras, one of the main centres for tapestry weaving in the 13th and 14th centuries, located in the southern Netherlands and controlled by Philip the Bold of Burgundy from 1385. Throughout this time the tapestries of Arras were so famous that \u2018arras\u2019 became synonymous with \u2018tapestry\u2019 in England and Italy, and tapestries frequently appear in documents under that name. The present example has marked similarities with a tapestry documented to Arras that was made for the Cathedral of Tournai in 1402 and shows the story of saints Piat and Eleutherius. \n\nBecause of the nature of the subject matter it seems likely that this tapestry, together with the rest of the original set, must have been intended to hang in a great church or cathedral."@en . . . .