"La Tunique Ensanglantée" - Cathedral of Our Lady - Tournai

"La Tunique Ensanglantée" ( The Bloody Tunic ) is a famous tapestry located in the Tournai Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Tournai). This carpet has a very special meaning and historical value.

The tapestry, which dates from the 14th century, is one of the cathedral's most important art treasures. It depicts scenes from the life of Jesus Christ , including his crucifixion and the moment he leaves his tunic behind. According to Christian tradition, this tunic of Christ was divided among the soldiers after his crucifixion, but one part remained intact and was preserved as a sacred relic. This relic, the so-called Holy Tunic , is kept in Tournai Cathedral and is considered one of the most precious Christian relics.

The tapestry "La Tunique Ensanglantée" was created to illustrate and honor the legend of the Sacred Tunic. The tapestry is the ninth of a series of 10, of which 4 still remain in the cathedral. It depicts Joseph's bloodstained clothes being presented to his father Jacob.

Additional events are described around this:

Above, left, the reception of Jacob by his father Isaac and his death and, on the right, the departure of Jacob's sons to Egypt to look for grain.

In the left foreground Jacob talks to his sons who are jealous of Joseph. In the middle an image of Jacob sending his sons to join Joseph. On the right the well into which Joseph was thrown and later sold to traders.

Willem Vandenameele