Zenobia takes part in Aurelian’s triumph

The Chapter Hall houses the tapestry series “Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra”, woven in Brussels by Geraert Peemans circa 1667. These eleven panels narrate the life of Queen Zenobia and her defeat at the hands of the emperor Emperor Aurelian.
The tapestry on display, exhibited on one of the walls adjacent to the old library and measuring 6.41 m in length, depicts Zenobia being led to Rome in chains alongside her two younger sons, followed by a retinue of Roman soldiers carrying trophies and leading white horses. On the left, Aurelian commands a triumphal chariot, overshadowed by a winged Fame blowing long trumpets, in a grand baroque style that masks the tragedy drawn by Justus van Egmont.