Texts by Beba Marsano, with an essay by Monique di Prima and in-depth studies on carpets by Tiziana Marchesi.

The volume describes the "carpet as a symbol" and analyzes the role it has played over the centuries from the Middle Age to the contemporary, observing it through its representations in painting. If in fact in ancient painting it symbolizes the "sacred enclosure" in which the sacred representation takes place, placed under the feet of the Saints and the Virgin Mary, in modern times it symbolizes, for example, "the theater" when, lying on the ground, it creates a stage that delimits a profane representation marking the boundaries of the magic of the scene. And so, from symbol to symbol, in the history of painting the carpet reveals itself as a "sacred ground", rich in multiple meanings: a symbol of "vanitas" in the still lifes of the seventeenth century but also an emblem of "temporal power" when king and emperors chose, and not by chance, to be portrayed standing on sumptuous specimens.

Through the 101 paintings commented, the author identifies the major symbolic connotations covered by the carpet in the history of art and reveals them, arousing curiosity and amazement. To complete this rich analysis, a section dedicated to carpets introduces the specific theme and 11 in-depth sheets show and describe the carpets illustrated in 11 selected paintings, leading the reader to the knowledge of the antique carpet and providing the tools to approach this art form. charming and hermetic.