Arria and Paetus thumbnail 1
Arria and Paetus thumbnail 2
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Arria and Paetus

Tapestry
ca. 1801-1812 (woven)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

In Republican France in the early 19th century this subject was chosen for weaving at the Gobelins Tapestry Manufactory because of its high moral message. Paetus, a Roman imprisoned for leading an unsuccessful rebellion against the Emperor Claudius, was shown how to die with honour by his wife, Arria, who stabbed herself.

The subject was taken from a painting of 1785 by François-André Vincent (1746-1816). It was woven at the Gobelins in Paris some time between 1801 and 1809, with the border added in 1811-1812. Two tapestries were made of the subject. One was given by the French Emperor Napoleon I to his brother, Jerome, King of Westphalia, whose son gave the tapestry to the South Kensington Museum, as the Victoria & Albert Museum was then called.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleArria and Paetus (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Tapestry woven in wool and silk
Brief description
Tapestry showing Arria and Paetus, after a painting of 1785 by F.-A. Vincent; woven at the Gobelins in Paris, ca. 1801-1812.
Physical description
Tapestry in wool and silk, depicting Arria and Paetus
Dimensions
  • Top edge width: 3282mm
  • Width: 3287mm (Note: Bottom Edge)
  • Weight: 34.5kg (Note: Weight of object on storage pole.)
  • Proper right length: 3709mm
  • Proper left length: 3753mm
Gallery label
'American and European Art and Design 1800-1900' In Republican France this subject was chosen for weaving at the Gobelins because of its high moral character: Paetus, imprisoned for leading an unsuccessful rebellion against the Emperor Claudius, was shown how to die with honour by his wife, Arria, who stabbed herself. Two tapestries were made of this subject. One was given by Napoleon I to his brother, Jerome, King of Westphalia, whose son gave the tapestry to the South Kensington Museum, as the Victoria & Albert Museum was then called.(1987-2006)
Credit line
Given by the Prince Napoleon
Object history
Napoleon I gave this tapestry to his brother, Jerome, King of Westphalia, whose son gave the tapestry to the South Kensington Museum, as the Victoria & Albert Museum was called in 1857.
Historical context
In Republican France this subject was chosen for weaving at the Gobelins because of its high moral character: Paetus, imprisoned for leading an unsuccessful rebellion against the Emperor Claudius, was shown how to die with honour by his wife, Arria, who stabbed herself.Two tapestries were woven of the subject.
Production
After a painting of 1785 by François-André Vincent (1746-1816); woven at the Gobelins in Paris 1801-1805 or 1805-1809 (border added 1811-1812), under workshop manager Michel Henri Cozette.
Subjects depicted
Summary
In Republican France in the early 19th century this subject was chosen for weaving at the Gobelins Tapestry Manufactory because of its high moral message. Paetus, a Roman imprisoned for leading an unsuccessful rebellion against the Emperor Claudius, was shown how to die with honour by his wife, Arria, who stabbed herself.

The subject was taken from a painting of 1785 by François-André Vincent (1746-1816). It was woven at the Gobelins in Paris some time between 1801 and 1809, with the border added in 1811-1812. Two tapestries were made of the subject. One was given by the French Emperor Napoleon I to his brother, Jerome, King of Westphalia, whose son gave the tapestry to the South Kensington Museum, as the Victoria & Albert Museum was then called.
Collection
Accession number
6733-1857

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Record createdMay 19, 2006
Record URL
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