Venus and Adonis thumbnail 1
Venus and Adonis thumbnail 2
+4
images
Not on display

This object consists of 4 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Venus and Adonis

Tapestry
ca. 1700-20 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

These four Brussels tapestries are from a series depicting the story of Venus and Adonis, designed by the tapestry artist Jan van Orly using scenes from paintings by Francesco Albani. The same visual source was used for a series by the English tapestry weaver John Vanderbank. The Houghton tapestries are the only Brussels Venus and Adonis set remaining in England. They were located in the Green Bedchamber at Houghton at least as early as 1743.

On loan to Houghton Hall.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 4 parts.

  • Tapestry
  • Set of Eyelets
  • Set of Eyelets
  • Set of Eyelets and Hooks
Titles
  • Venus and Adonis (series title)
  • Venus asleep (popular title)
Materials and techniques
Tapestry woven in wool and silk
Brief description
Tapestry, part of a Venus & Adonis set, Brussels, 1700-20
Physical description
Tapestry hanging woven in wool and silk.
Dimensions
  • Width: 431cm
The tapestry has had its size reduced by turning up the top and sides to fit into the room. More detailed measurements will be taken when it is removed from the wall for conservation
Credit line
Accepted by HM Government in lieu of Inheritance Tax and allocated to the Victoria and Albert Museum
Object history
Based on scenes from paintings by Francesco Albani. Hung in the Green Velvet Bedchamber at Houghton Hall since at least 1743
Subjects depicted
Summary
These four Brussels tapestries are from a series depicting the story of Venus and Adonis, designed by the tapestry artist Jan van Orly using scenes from paintings by Francesco Albani. The same visual source was used for a series by the English tapestry weaver John Vanderbank. The Houghton tapestries are the only Brussels Venus and Adonis set remaining in England. They were located in the Green Bedchamber at Houghton at least as early as 1743.

On loan to Houghton Hall.
Bibliographic reference
Koenraad Brosens, "Brussels Tapestry Producer Judocus de Vos (1661/62-1734) - New Data and Design Attributions", in Studies in the Decorative Arts, Vol.IX, no. 2, Bard Graduate Centre, Spring/Summer 2002.
Collection
Accession number
T.74-2002

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Record createdNovember 12, 2002
Record URL
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