Tracy Chevalier's ekphrastic novel «The lady and the unicorn»

In the present article the ekphrastic nature of Tracy Chevalier’s novel «The Lady and the Unicorn» is analysed. The role of the ekphrasis of the eponymous series of the six fifteenth century tapestries in the subject matter, system of characters and conflict of the novel is determined. The interpretation of the mediaeval unicorn plot is traced in its relation to the motif of the flower garden and the allegory of five senses. The ekphrastic discourse of the novel is considered as defined by the theme of creativity and the image of the artist. The genre features of the ekphrastic novel on the verge of the XX–XXI centuries are revealed.