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TAPESTRY, AUBUSSON, AFTER 1680, AFTER CARTOONS BY CHARLES LE…
See original version (French)
205
-
TAPESTRY, AUBUSSON, AFTER 1680, AFTER CARTOONS BY CHARLES LE…
See original version (French)
Estimate €8,000 - €12,000
Voluntary lot
Description
TAPESTRY, AUBUSSON, AFTER 1680, AFTER CARTOONS BY CHARLES LEBRUN (1619-1690), FOR THE HANGING OF THE STORY OF ALEXANDER
ALEXANDER IN FRONT OF THE TENT OF DARIUS WITH THE QUEENS OF PERSIA
wool and silk; with its brown and yellow border, decorated with suns, fleurs-de-lys, a tribute to Louis XIV and candelabras, wreaths, military trophies, baskets of flowers, eagles holding a thunderbolt in their talons; blue braid.
Sysigambis, mother of Darius, had mistaken Ephestion for Alexander, and threw herself at his feet to ask his forgiveness. Alexander replies that Ephestion is someone else.
(Reweaving in the lower blue braids, very good condition, bright colours, cleaned, ready to hang)
TAPESTRY, AUBUSSON, PAST 1680, AFTER A DESIGN BY CHARLES LEBRUN (1619-1690), FOR THE HISTORY OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT WALL HANGING
289 x 415 CM - 113,8 x 163,4 IN.
Provenance
Château du Condroz in Belgium
Pascal-François Bertrand, Les Tapisseries d'Aubusson et de Felletin, pp. 68 & 73: "L'Histoire d'Alexandre, executed at the Manufacture royale des Gobelins after paintings by Le Brun, enjoyed particular favour at the Court of Louis XIV because, according to Félibien, the First Painter had skilfully flattered the Sun King by depicting him in the guise of the Greek monarch. The life of Alexander had always fascinated people. Quinte-Curce appears to be the first Latin historian of this prince's life, and his writings were an inexhaustible source from which all subsequent generations drew. The patrons were fascinated by the feats of arms or the chivalric virtues of the monarch".
Caisse Nationale des Monuments Historiques, Chefs-d'œuvre de la Tapisserie d'Henri IV à Louis XIV, p. 233: "After conquering Egypt and founding Alexandria, Alexander the Great headed for Mesopotamia, where Darius presented him with a final military challenge that was to lead to the collapse of the Achaemenid Empire. He crushed the Persian army on the plain of Gaugamelles, near Arbelles, in October 331. Le Brun's composition shows Alexander on horseback, sword raised, trying to reach Darius in the midst of the massacre. The defeated Darius prepares to leave his majestic chariot and flee on horseback. ... Le Brun has shown a real concern for fidelity to Quinte-Curce's account. Drawing inspiration from various passages, he borrowed from the Latin author, in particular the eagle hovering over Alexander's head, an omen of victory, "
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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