Tapestry thumbnail 1
Tapestry thumbnail 2
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Not currently on display at the V&A

Tapestry

ca. 1700-1720 (woven)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This tapestry was designed by Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer, an artist principally known for his still-life and flower paintings. He had first been engaged as a designer by the Gobelins Manufactory in 1666. In 1690 Monnoyer was given leave to travel to England, ostensibly to tour the country for several months. In fact, the artist would remain there until his death in 1699, carrying out commissions he received from wealthy English patrons.

The series to which this tapestry belongs was executed in the style of Jean Bérain I (1640-1711), and came to be known as the Bérain Grotesques. The subjects' unifying feature is the light-hearted revelry they exhibit. They include acrobats, minstrels, animal tamers, an elephant; and offerings to Pan and to Bacchus.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Tapestry woven in wool and silks on woollen warps
Brief description
Tapestry woven in wool and silks on woollen warps, designed by Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer, made by the Beauvais Tapestry Factory, France, ca. 1700-1720
Physical description
Tapestry woven in wool and silks on woollen warps. With grotesque motifs illustrating offerings to Pan. 17 warps to the inch. An arcade with columns and vases on a balustrade. Large central arch draped with hangings and with a suspended canopy over Pan as a herm, in front of which are two women dressed in Middle Eastern-style, one dancing and one decking the herm with garlands. There is also a boy with a basket and a goat in the foreground.
Dimensions
  • Top edge width: 2832mm
  • Bottom edge width: 2791mm
  • Proper right length: 2021mm
  • Proper left length: 2021mm
  • Weighed on roller weight: 16.5kg
Credit line
E. E. Cook Bequest, presented by Art Fund
Object history
This tapestry was part of the E E Cook Bequest to the Museum. In his will Mr Cook expressed an "earnest wish and desire" that the items bequeathed should not be "sent out of England for exhibition or any other purpose".
Subjects depicted
Summary
This tapestry was designed by Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer, an artist principally known for his still-life and flower paintings. He had first been engaged as a designer by the Gobelins Manufactory in 1666. In 1690 Monnoyer was given leave to travel to England, ostensibly to tour the country for several months. In fact, the artist would remain there until his death in 1699, carrying out commissions he received from wealthy English patrons.

The series to which this tapestry belongs was executed in the style of Jean Bérain I (1640-1711), and came to be known as the Bérain Grotesques. The subjects' unifying feature is the light-hearted revelry they exhibit. They include acrobats, minstrels, animal tamers, an elephant; and offerings to Pan and to Bacchus.
Collection
Accession number
T.55-1955

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Record createdJune 7, 2006
Record URL
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