Introducing Rakewell, Apollo’s wandering eye on the art world. Look out for regular posts taking a rakish perspective on art and museum stories.
News that the Bayeux Tapestry may leave French shores for the first time in 950 years to travel to the UK has been greeted with much excitement. Indeed, no sooner had the story broken than social media was alive with theories, rants and speculation as to the proposed loan.
While some people offered suggestions as to where the tapestry should be exhibited in Britain…
Leading contenders to show Bayeux Tapestry are @britishmuseum and @V_and_A but William the Conqueror did build this castle @HRP_palaces to confirm regime change pic.twitter.com/cDo5CyR3bX
— Javier Pes (@JavierPes1) January 17, 2018
Would be nice in the Stag Bar, Bank Street, Dumfries
— John Dowson (@JohnDowson3) January 17, 2018
…more pedantic voices reminded us that we shouldn’t be talking about a ‘tapestry’ at all:
The Bayeux Tapestry is not a tapestry, it is an embroidery. Tapestries are woven on a loom, while embroideries are made of threads sewn into a fabric.
— Quite Interesting (@qikipedia) January 17, 2018
Given the UK’s current relationship with the European Union, many people were quick to point out the historical irony of President Macron’s generous offer:
Macron is trolling us by lending us the the Bayeux Tapestry. Now is the time for Boris to respond by sending him pictures of Agincourt
— John Crace (@JohnJCrace) January 17, 2018
Only Mrs May’s Government could celebrate Brexit by bringing the Bayeux Tapestry to Britain! Liam Fox’s trade triumphs with Trump and Xi are about as likely as the restoration of King Harold.
— Andrew Adonis (@Andrew_Adonis) January 17, 2018
There were some creative suggestions for a reciprocal loan…
#r4today British government have agreed to loan Jacob Rees Mogg to French Museum in exchange for Bayeux Tapestry! ‘We thought it only right to swap one relic of a bygone age for another’ said a spokesman! pic.twitter.com/dnpTHtEJs1
— VoiceOfAmbridge (@voiceofbramley) January 17, 2018
And inevitably, some truly terrible puns…
I worry it will end up costing a fortune to repair and we’ll have Bayeux’s remorse. https://t.co/FK3poWLPR6
— Sam Freedman (@Samfr) January 16, 2018
Got a story for Rakewell? Get in touch at rakewell@apollomag.com or via @Rakewelltweets.