A rare 18th-century tapestry, *The Battle of Arbela*, has gone on public display at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, UK, after more than a century in storage. The tapestry, part of the *Story of Alexander the Great* series commissioned by the first Duke of Marlborough in 1707, was woven by Flemish weaver Judocus de Vos and designed by French artist Charles Le Brun. It depicts Alexander the Great's victory over the Persian Army at the Battle of Gaugamela in 331 BC. The piece is now exhibited in the palace's Great Hall until 26 August, following conservation work completed in the early 2000s.
The display matters because it offers rare public access to a historically significant artwork that has been hidden from view for over 100 years, highlighting the ongoing conservation and curatorial efforts at Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tapestry also connects visitors to a pivotal moment in ancient history and the craftsmanship of 18th-century Flemish weavers, while underscoring the palace's role as a living repository of aristocratic and military heritage.