'April', A Flemish medallion months tapestry, Brussels, early 16th century, unidentified designer, from the circle of Bernard van Orley (c. 1488–1541) circa 1525

the central medallion encloses a vignette of activities pertinent to the month of April, overlooked by the figure of Flora (Roman goddess of flowers and Spring, holding a vase of flowers and identified by the inscription), the traditional classical deity associated with the month, who seated in the clouds observes a richly attired nobleman on horseback along with his lady riding side-saddle behind him, in the background the land is been ploughed and seeds sown, and a family looks on, with a child holding a flower and basket, in a landscape brimming with flowers, budding trees and mushrooms, all characteristic of April, the round band encircling the central medallion has winged cherubs alternating with stars, on a soft blue ground, with a bull symbolic of the zodiac Taurus at the top, the upper spandrels with allegorical figural depictions of southerly and easterly winds, Notus and Eolus (Aeolus), and the lower spandrels with a woman weaving a crown of flowers and a man sowing seeds, all within a four-sided compartmentalised border of ribbon bound garlands of fruits and flowers, with further narrow inner and outer yellow and blue twisted borders, the upper corners of the tapestry enclose a snail and the lower corners have masks, with further narrow madder selvedges
approximately 379cm. high, 436cm. wide; 12ft. 5in., 14ft. 3in.