
The Latin inscriptions in the center of the upper border of this and the neighboring tapestry make clear that they illustrate the story of Cyrus the Great, ruler of the Medes and the Persians. Here he oversees the laborious work of diverting the Euphrates River, a tactic that would permit his troops to approach the city of Babylon and conquer it. These tapestries were woven from cartoons that adapted designs by the 16th-century court artist Michiel Coxie. Their rich borders, filled with garlands and putti as well as military trophies, are in a later Baroque style, while the poses of the ruler and his advisors take on a somewhat stereotypical aspect.

Cyrus Defeats Spargapises from The Story of Cyrus
Adapted from designs by Michiel Coxie (1499–1592) Produced at the workshop of Albert Auwercx (1629–1709) Brussels

Christ Appearing to Mary Magdalene (Noli Me Tangere)
Design attributed to Michiel Coxcie (1499–1592) or Giovanni Battista Lodi da Cremona Woven in the workshop of Willem de Pannemaker (active 1515–c. 1581) Brussels