Renowned British artist David Hockney has sparked debate over plans to transport the 11th-century Bayeux Tapestry from France to the UK for a 2026 exhibition, calling the proposal "madness" in a scathing critique published in The Independent this week. The 70-meter-long medieval artifact, which depicts the Norman Conquest of England, has remained in France since its creation.
"Some things are too precious to take a risk with," Hockney wrote, emphasizing the tapestry's fragility. "Moving it is one of them… It is too big a risk." His comments come as the British Museum prepares to host what would be the textile's first overseas display in modern history.
Museum Director Nicholas Cullinan responded to concerns by highlighting the institution's expertise: "We send and receive thousands of loans annually, including ancient frescoes and textiles older than the Bayeux Tapestry. Their safety remains our paramount priority." The museum's conservation team is reportedly developing climate-controlled transport protocols for the proposed loan.
Cultural historians note the tapestry's potential 2026 exhibition coincides with the 960th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, adding symbolic weight to the controversial proposal. Art conservation experts globally are divided on whether modern technology sufficiently mitigates risks to the 950-year-old work.
