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Elegant Tapestries of Nature and Myth

A collection of ornate tapestries showcasing pastoral scenes and mythological themes, featuring shepherdesses, mythical couples, and animals in lush landscapes.

scene. unknown c. 1700 Tapestry Dimensions: H 11'4" x W 6' Tapestry Materials/Techniques: unknown Culture: Flemish Weaving Center: Brussels Ownership History: French & Co. purchased from J. A. Stillman 12/7/1923 SS 12477. 2 women seated on ground in river landscape; 1 attends to hair of other; basket of clothing & adornments beside them (BRD) picture-frame border with acanthus ornament, crossed arrow quivers & crossed torches French & Co. stock sheet in archive, 12477c French & Co. stock sheet missing from archive, F474 Related Works: Panels in set: GCPA 0238675-0238678
scene. unknown c. 1700 Tapestry Dimensions: H 11'4" x W 6' Tapestry Materials/Techniques: unknown Culture: Flemish Weaving Center: Brussels Ownership History: French & Co. purchased from J. A. Stillman 12/7/1923 SS 12477. 2 women seated on ground in river landscape; 1 attends to hair of other; basket of clothing & adornments beside them (BRD) picture-frame border with acanthus ornament, crossed arrow quivers & crossed torches French & Co. stock sheet in archive, 12477c French & Co. stock sheet missing from archive, F474 Related Works: Panels in set: GCPA 0238675-0238678
150 assets in this story
Piece 1795-99 French. Piece 221860Landscape with birds. unknown c. 1675-1725 Tapestry Dimensions: H 10' x W 9'10" Tapestry Materials/Techniques: unknown Culture: Flemish Weaving Center: unknown Ownership History: French & Co. purchased from Eugene Glaenzer 1/15/1917; sold to H. Sanderson 4/12/1918. Related Works: Panels in set, 0236602-0236603, 0202551-0202552Stag in Old Age. unknown c. 1490-1520 Tapestry Dimensions: H 8'6" x W 11'5" Tapestry Materials/Techniques: wool (warp: 5-6/cm); wool & silk (weft); wool (embroidered in one area) Culture: Southern Netherlands Ownership History: French & Co. purchased from the Hayden Co. 9/13/1920; sold to J. G. Rogers 6/8/1921. Mary Stillman Harkness coll.; bequest to museum in 1950. United States, New York, New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accno. 50.145.5. Inscriptions: Inscription in upper R corner of central field on banner: Puis lassault viellesse aoultrance. Qui let fait hors du lac saillier / Et lui lasche peine et doubtâce. Froet et chault et si fait venir / Soussy laboir pour le tenir. Et eage a la chere ridee / Et pesanteur le font sauie fouir. Vers maladie la doubter doubtee Inscriptions: Inscription in at lower center of central field next to hounds: soussi, aige, froit, chault, peine In landscape, next to lake, elderly woman =Old Age leaning on walking staff, & group of 8 hounds =AThe Relation of the Individual to the State: Socrates and His Friends Discuss "The Republic," as in Plato's Account; Color Study for Mural, Supreme Court Room, Saint Paul, Minnesota State Capitol, Saint Paul 1903 John La Farge American. The Relation of the Individual to the State: Socrates and His Friends Discuss "The Republic," as in Plato's Account; Color Study for Mural, Supreme Court Room, Saint Paul, Minnesota State Capitol, Saint Paul. John La Farge (American, New York 1835-1910 Providence, Rhode Island). American. 1903. Gouache, watercolor, and graphite on light tan wove paperBliej Kultury unknownFox hunt. unknown c. 1750 Tapestry Dimensions: H 9'2" x W 6'11" Tapestry Materials/Techniques: unknown Culture: French Weaving Center: Aubusson Ownership History: Comtesse Clementine Stadnicka, Warsaw, 5/27/1927. Sold to Jacques Seligmann & Co. Inc., New York, 1932-33. French & Co. purchased from Art Institute of Chicago ("taken in deal"), received 4/29/1946; sold to Jean Mikaeloff 6/24/1961 SS 58452. In landscape with trees, flowering plants & building near river in background, 3 horsemen & footman with weapons & hound dogs watch as fox subdues one of the dogs; additional menacing fox () creeps into the scene (R) Borders missing. Notation on Seligmann folder: "The negative is to be filed under no. CDLXXIV when the tapestry is sold". However, the same information exists for each tapestry in this set, thus preventing us from assigning a specific negative number to any of the tapestries in the set. Jacques Seligmann & Co. stock sheet in archive, 13292 French & Co. stock sheet in archive,Wedding of Bacchus and Ariadne. unknown c. 1680-1710 Tapestry Dimensions: H 9'6" x W 16'4" Tapestry Materials/Techniques: unknown Culture: Flemish Weaving Center: unknown In forest, Bacchus & Ariadne ride in leopard-drawn chariot, surrounded by cherubim & nymphs (BRD) garlands of flowers & fruitTile , ca. 1700-1725. Glazed earthenware, 5 x 5 x 1/4 in. (12.7 x 12.7 x 0.6 cm). Decorative Arts ca. 1700-1725Landscape. unknown c. 1700-1725 Tapestry Dimensions: H 9'5" x W 9' Tapestry Materials/Techniques: unknown Culture: French Weaving Center: Aubusson Ownership History: French & Co. purchased from Steve Spencer, received 4/19/1965; sold to Mrs. William M. Roth 11/28/1966. Meadow with flowering plants, thistle & trees; pond with duck (L) & dog near buildings in background; additional buildings, including church (R) on hills in distance (BRD) border with floral sprays alternating with acanthus leaves enclosing vase with flower The left border looks modern, & is thus not original to the tapestry. In fact, the stock sheet states that "the entire left border has been restored & cut & repaired in the center". Sections of the left side of tapestry have been patched; faint marks of figures that probably pre-date the restoration are still visible French & Co. stock sheet in archive, H-412-xGame park with ladies and gentlemen at picnic with hunt beyond. unknown c. 1575-1625 Tapestry Dimensions: H 9'1" x W 10'4" Tapestry Materials/Techniques: unknown Culture: Flemish Weaving Center: unknown Ownership History: French & Co. purchased from American Art Association (Pulitzer sale), invoiced 1/9/1929; sold to Rivas Eyzaguirre & Co. 5/12/1953. Fox or badger hunt (center foreground); hunt for stripe-tailed animal (middle ground) (BRD) segmented border with allegorical figures & vases of flowers French & Co. stock sheet in archive, 33128Fortune-teller and chicken-feeding. Teniers, David II (Flemish, 1610-1690) (designed after) painter c. 1675-1750 Tapestry Dimensions: H 8'10" x W 8'9" Tapestry Materials/Techniques: unknown Culture: Flemish Weaving Center: unknown Ownership History: French & Co. purchased from Mrs. Robert W. Patterson 3/8/1922. In landscape, gypsy telling fortune of elderly man; seated woman nursing child; woman & child feeding chickens with grain that they hold in their aprons; formal garden with fountains in background (BRD) twisting garlands of flowers & fruit; (L & R BRD) plinth in bottom corners, 2 elongated birds's heads at top Modern borders. Stock sheet notes that original panel referred to as "A" had been cut & rewoven at the left before the time of purchase. It appears that French & Co. cut out this portion on the left side, making it a seperate panel: "I. Chateauvert - making "A" smaller & joining borders." The 2 panels were then sold separately, "B" GCPA 0241642 having no borders (DimitrovaMidi de la France ca. 1818 Louis Hippolyte Lebas French. Midi de la France 221969Birds with castle. unknown c. 1725 Tapestry Dimensions: H 7' x W 11'6" Tapestry Materials/Techniques: unknown Culture: French Weaving Center: Aubusson Ownership History: French & Co. purchased from the American Art Association (New York), Stymus sale, invoiced 11/17/1928; sold to A. B. Spreckels 7/13/1934. 2 large birds, one of which looks towards flying bird, in meadow with flowering plants & trees in foreground; river with castle & arched bridge in background; pathways leading to additional buildings on either side of composition & on hills in distance Borders missing. The tapestry was mounted on a six-fold screen. French & Co. stock sheet in archive, 32770Piggy-back. Huet, Jean-Baptiste (French, 1745-1811) (designed after) painter c. 1780-1810 Tapestry Dimensions: H 8'7" x W 5'6" Tapestry Materials/Techniques: unknown Culture: French Weaving Center: Aubusson Ownership History: French & Co. purchased from Robert Z. Hawkins, received 8/12/1941; sold to Jean Mikaeloff, 6/24/1961. In landscape with trees, river & flowering plants near farmhouses, a group of 4 boys playing piggy- back as another boy approaches (L); bridge & village with church in distance Borders missing. The present scene is part of a larger composition, as exemplified in GCPA 0243123 & 0243129 (cited below). There are variants to this scene, with the inclusion or absence of a maiden to the far left, a young boy coming towards the main group of young boys (L), or a woman with a child near a fountain (R). These scenes come in several possible combinations. French & Co. stock sheet in archive, 75455-h Boccara, Belles heures de la tapisserie (1971), 217 Related Works: Panels iScenes Flamandes (Furnishing Fabric) Made 1775-1800 France.Bliżej Kultury unknownBird hunt. unknown c. 1500-1525 Tapestry Dimensions: H 6'9" x W 8' Tapestry Materials/Techniques: unknown Culture: Southern Netherlands Weaving Center: unknown Ownership History: French & Co. received from Henry Schiewind, invoiced 12/16/1936; returned 5/26/1941. Group of figures in landscape snaring birds; man & woman put small bird into cage; another man holds bird; man climbs tree with help of another Borders missing. French & Co. stock sheet in archive, 18811Swing. Watteau, Jean Antoine (French, 1684-1721) (designed after) painter Pater, Jean-Baptiste Joseph (French, 1695-1736) (designed after) painter Bradshaw, George Smith (British, 1717-1812) (workshop) weaver c. 1730-1760 Tapestry Dimensions: H 8'4" x W 7'6" Tapestry Materials/Techniques: unknown Culture: English Weaving Center: London Ownership History: French & Co. purchased from the Spanish Art Gallery 8/7/1914; sold to Mrs. H. E. Whelan, n.d. SS 5639. French & Co. purchased from Mrs. H. E. Whelan, n.d. probably 1930; sold to Mrs. R. A. Mestress, 12/9/1930 SS 37175. French & Co. purchased from Mrs. Moeser, invoiced 3/22/1939; sold to Mrs. G. Sampson 2/29/1940 SS 19278. Couple talking (R, foreground), group playing games (center, middle ground), woman on swing, pushed by man (L of center, background) (BRD) narrow with overlapping zig-zag design Pedestal with urn on left-side of original composition (GCPA 0181850:0181515) are missing, due either because they were left out in the weaviShepherds and Shepherdesses Dancing from a set of Mythological Subjects after Giulio Romano Various artists/makers designed 1684-86, woven 1689-92 In a woodland setting, three men and three women dance in a ring. A pile of musical instruments lies in front of them on the bank of a stream. For centuries, these bucolic figures have been called shepherds and shepherdesses, although there are no attributes specifically identifying them as such. This tapestry is from a set of eight, traditionally called Les Sujets de la Fable. The designs for all eight tapestries are based in part upon drawings then in Louis XIV's collection- now preserved in the Louvre- which were all, at that time, attributed to Giulio Romano. Four of the tapestries in this series- all of which are part of The Mets collection- ultimately take as their inspiration frescos by Giulio Romano and his assistants in the Palazzo Te, Mantua. The design source of this tapestry is Giulios fresco depicting folk born under the constLazio Latina Sezze Antiquarium Comunale6. Hutzel, Max 1960-1990 German-born photographer and scholar Max Hutzel (1911-1988) photographed in Italy from the early 1960s until his death. The result of this project, referred to by Hutzel as Foto Arte Minore, is thorough documentation of art historical development in Italy up to the 18th century, including objects of the Etruscans and the Romans, as well as early Medieval, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque monuments. Images are organized by geographic region in Italy, then by province, city, site complex and monument.Landscape with thistles in left foreground. unknown c. 1650-1700 Tapestry Dimensions: H 6'3" x W 6'2" Tapestry Materials/Techniques: unknown Culture: Flemish Weaving Center: unknown Ownership History: French & Co.Fragment, Medium: cotton Technique: roller printed on plain weave, Printed cotton fragment. Blue dye on white ground showing equestrian hunters with hounds in landscape., England, late 18th-early 19th century, printed, dyed & painted textiles, FragmentImmortal Lifting a Dragon , last half of 18th century. Ink and light color on paper, Overall: 61 1/2 x 30 3/4 in. (156.2 x 78.1 cm). Asian Art last half of 18th centuryPanel China. Panel 68273Rape of Europa. unknown c. 1750-1775 Tapestry Dimensions: H 8'10" x W 9'6" Tapestry Materials/Techniques: unknown Culture: French Weaving Center: Aubusson Ownership History: French & Co. received from E. S. Howe, 5/31/1949; returned 8/13/1952. In landscape, Europa with basket of flowers, seated on bull (=Jupiter/Zeus), accompanied by 4 maidens; 2 bulls (R); putti & cherub playing with garland of flowers, & cherub with eagle in sky above Europa (BRD) floral border interspersed with acanthus leaves & lozenge-shaped motifs framing rosettes & flower heads; acanthus leaves in corners The following note on stock sheet: "Transferred to storage 5/15/1951 in name Mrs. Arthur A. Houghton Jr." French & Co. stock sheet in archive, 80554 Related Works: Panels in set: GCPA 0243320, 0243323A Concert of Birds Richard Earlom (British, 1743-1822). , 1778. Mezzotint on laid paper, 16 1/2 x 22 5/8 in. (41.9 x 57.4 cm). European Art 1778Textile, Medium: cotton Technique: printed by engraved copper plate on plain weave, Cotton fabric printed with red showing three large vignettes with hunt scenes. First vignette shows equestrians jumping a fence; second shows figures in front of an inn; third shows the kill., Nantes, France, 1780-1790, printed, dyed & painted textiles, TextileFishing. Boucher, François (French, 1703-1770) (designed after) painter Dumons, Jean-Joseph (French, 1687-1779) (author of design, after Boucher) painter c. 1750-1780 Tapestry Dimensions: H 8' x W 7'7" Tapestry Materials/Techniques: unknown Culture: French Weaving Center: Aubusson Ownership History: French & Co. 3 fishermen in river landscape with waterfall, one an old man holding large net next to young boy showing him an eel (L), & another youth fishing on edge of the river (R); pagoda in background Borders missing; it may have been woven without one (Cavallo). This is an abbreviated version of the right half of the complete composition, with the same left-right orientation as the Boucher sketch, held at the Musée des Beaux Arts et d'Archéologie, Besançon, France, & with the addition of the seated figure to the right (Cavallo). Jean-Joseph Dumons had painted in 1742 & 1743 the cartoons of the Tenture chinoise, from Boucher's sketches, for the Beauvais manufactory. Aubusson, interesteScenes from "William Tell" ca. 1820 French, Alsace. Scenes from "William Tell". French, Alsace. ca. 1820. Cotton. Textiles-Printed'Marsh', 1615. Artist: Leonard GaultierFragment (France); cottonOutdoor Sports and Pastimes (Furnishing Fabric) Made 1785-1795 England (Object made in). Cotton, plain weave; copperplate printed . Francis Hayman (Painter) , Joseph Ware (Printer)Window with Adam and Eva in Paradise, Claes Abrahamsz. Van Delft, 1609 Rectangular window on which is depicted Adam and Eva in paradise. Haarlem (possibly)maker: Delft glass. lead (metal). Rectangular window on which is depicted Adam and Eva in paradise. Haarlem (possibly)maker: Delft glass. lead (metal).Fragment, Medium: cotton Technique: roller printed on plain weave; glazed, Scenes of haying. In black on loosely woven white cloth., England, ca. 1815, printed, dyed & painted textiles, FragmentFragment Entitled "William Penn's Treaty with the Indians". Adapted from engraving by John Hall (English, 1739-1797); Published by John Boydell (English, 1719-1804) in London, 1775; After painting by Benjamin West (American, 1738-1826) dating from 1771; England. Date: 1775-1795. Dimensions: 59.1 × 83.8 cm (23 1/4 × 33 in.). Cotton, plain weave; copperplate and block printed. Origin: England. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.Game park with bear hunt in foreground. unknown c. 1575-1625 Tapestry Dimensions: H 10'3" x W 10' Tapestry Materials/Techniques: unknown Culture: Flemish Weaving Center: Brussels Ownership History: French & Co. purchased from Wm. Hochster, invoiced 12/25/1925; sold to Mrs. H. W. Chadbourne 12/8/1928 SS 13952. French & Co. purchased from H. W. Chadbourne, invoiced 5/5/1931 SS 17206.Rural Scene with Riders Thomas Rowlandson (British, 1756-1827). , ca. 1815. Watercolor on paper, Image: 7 5/16 x 10 13/16 in. (18.5 x 27.5 cm). European Art ca. 1815Meleager gives head of Calydonian boar to Atalanta. unknown c. 1675-1679 Tapestry Dimensions: H 10' Tapestry Materials/Techniques: unknown Culture: Flemish Weaving Center: Antwerp Ownership History: Cyrus McCormick, Chicago (as of 1925). Don Raimon d'Allones coll., Mallorca. Purchased in Antwerp in 1679 for Don Ramon Forton, Count of Montenegro & Mantua, resident of Mallorca. Related Works: Panels in set: GCPA 0241908-0241912Jaguar Discovering a Snake (Jaguar découvrant un serpent) Antoine-Louis Barye (French, 1795-1875). Jaguar Discovering a Snake (Jaguar découvrant un serpent), ca. 1840. Watercolor and gouache on cream-colored wove paper, 11 3/8 x 16 3/4 in. (28.9 x 42.5 cm). European Art ca. 1840"La Route de Poissy" with other scenes. Culture: French, Nantes. Dimensions: L. 18 1/2 x W. 30 1/2 inches47.0 x 77.5 cm. Engraver: Engraved by Delmès. Manufactory: Ferdinand Favre et Cie (1818-1866). Date: ca. 1820. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.'Pastorale', c1896-1936 (1924). Artist: UnknownCallot. The fight of Veillane Jacques Callot (1592-1635). The Veillane fight (Italy). Black and white projection plate. 1900-1930. Photograph of Jacques-Ernest Bulloz (1858-1942).cataloguedLand of the Moon, Plate 8 Filippo Morghen (Italian, 1730-1807). Land of the Moon, Plate 8, 1764. Etching on laid paper, 10 13/16 x 14 3/4 in. (27.5 x 37.5 cm). European Art 1764Snuffbox 1808-19 Pierre-André Montauban In eighteenth-century Europe, Paris led the production of high-quality luxury goods. Parisian goldsmiths made a wide range of small, personal articles such as snuffboxes; étuis to hold sealing wax, tweezers, or utensils for sewing; souvenirs, which contained thin ivory tablets for note taking; and shuttles for knotting lace. Gold snuffboxes and boxes decorated with portrait miniatures were prized and frequently given as royal gifts, often to ambassadors or members of the court in lieu of cash payments for their services. Coveted and admired, these boxes were produced from a variety of materials. The best were skillfully made of gold and embellished with diamonds, enameled decoration, lacquer, and other luxurious materials. By the middle of the century, the taking of snuff had become an entrenched social ritual, and the snuffbox, too, had become an important social prop. Snuffboxes were considered highly fashionable accessories, with some merchantBliej Kultury unknownTextile Design for Stencil 17th century Japan. Textile Design for Stencil 68424The Intruder, vintage engraved illustration. Magasin Pittoresque 1882.Fractur Drawing Unknown. Fractur Drawing, 1827. Pen, 12 3/4 x 16 in. (32.4 x 40.6 cm). American Art 1827Perseus and Andromeda ca. 1600 Southern German. Perseus and Andromeda. Southern German. ca. 1600. Boxwood. Sculpture-Miniature