History of Troy Tapestries

The four tapestries hanging in the Living Room and the vestibule illustrating the history of Troy were made in the seventeenth century in the workshop of Martin Reynbouts. In Greek mythology, the Trojan War was waged against the city of Troy by the Achaeans after Paris of Troy took Helen from her husband Menelaus, the king of Sparta. Each tapestry in the set illustrates an important event in the story. To view the tapestries in detail, select one of the images below.

 

 

Hector Bids Farewell

Overwhelmed by Achaean forces, the Trojans withdraw from battle. Hector, the eldest son of the Trojan King Priam, returns to Troy to ask his mother, Queen Hecuba, along with her noblewomen, to pray for mercy at the temple of Athena. Before returning to battle, Hector visits his wife, Andromache, whom he finds nursing their son Astyanax by the walls of the city. Andromache begs Hector not to go back, but he insists that he cannot escape his fate.

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