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.
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. 17 warps to the inch. With grotesque and mythological motifs. An architectural framework occupies the whole width of the scene. Suspended in the middle is a canopy with a heavy tasselled drapery above and two musicians below, one standing and playing the flute and the other seated at a table playing a guitar. Two large flower-filled vases at the sides. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | Tapestry
Wool and silk on woollen warps
French (Beauvais); 1700-20
Minstrels, from the Grotesques series
The ‘Grotesques’ series of tapestries were amongst the most popular and successful woven by the French tapestry manufactory at Beauvais in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Their designs were inspired by the work of the King’s designer Jean Berain (1637-1711), and drawn by Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer ((1635-92), best known for his flower paintings and books of floral ornament.
T.56-1955
Bequeathed by Ernest Cook through the National Art Collections Fund |
| 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.56-1955 |
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| Record created | June 7, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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