Hockney said the tapestry is far too delicate to be transported safely. He described it as both beautiful and historically vital and warned that moving it could cause damage that cannot be repaired.
“Too Fragile to Travel”
Hockney has visited the tapestry many times over the years. He first saw it in the nineteen sixties and says it has influenced him for most of his life. In the last three years alone, he has seen it more than twenty times.
Writing in the Independent, the eighty eight year old said the tapestry’s size and age make it especially vulnerable. The linen backing has weakened over time, and the wool threads can be damaged by strain.
He said the process of handling, rolling, and reinstalling the tapestry carries real risk, even when done with care. In his view, no exhibition is worth that risk.
British Museum Response
The British Museum has said it understands the concerns but believes the tapestry can be moved safely.
Museum director Nicholas Cullinan said the museum has specialist conservation teams with experience handling ancient textiles and fragile objects. He added that the safety and condition of the tapestry will remain the top priority throughout the loan.
French officials have also said the move is safe, although some art experts in France have raised similar worries to those expressed by Hockney.
A Priceless Work of History
The UK Treasury has insured the tapestry for eight hundred million pounds while it is in Britain. Hockney said the figure is meaningless, arguing that the artwork cannot truly be valued in money.
He also suggested the move may be driven by the desire to attract visitors rather than the needs of the tapestry itself. For centuries, it has been kept in Bayeux under carefully controlled conditions.
The Story the Tapestry Tells
The Bayeux Tapestry shows events leading up to the Norman conquest of England in ten sixty six, including the Battle of Hastings. It is made up of fifty eight scenes featuring hundreds of people and animals.
The embroidery shows William the Conqueror defeating Harold Godwinson and becoming king of England. Many historians believe it was created in England, possibly in Kent.
As part of the agreement, British historical objects such as the Sutton Hoo treasures and the Lewis chess pieces will be loaned to museums in Normandy.
