Battle of Lepanto Tapestries
F2. Maritime Culture, Heritage, Archaeology, Art and MuseumsDefinition
Renaissance commemorative textiles.
Woven textiles commemorating the Battle of Lepanto, the naval engagement of 7 October 1571 in which the Holy League fleet defeated the Ottoman navy in the Gulf of Patras. The best-known set is the series designed by Luca Cambiaso and Lazzaro Calvi, woven for the Doria family, and the later twelve-piece cycle made for Genoa. Such Renaissance commemorative tapestries recorded galley warfare for noble patrons; they document the last large fleet action fought mainly under oar.
Source: Battle of Lepanto, 7 October 1571; commemorative Genoese tapestry cycles, late 16th century, Doria collection.