Enfilade

L’Histoire de Don Quichotte de Charles Coypel
Mobilier national / Isabelle Bideau

Now on view at the Galerie des Gobelins in Paris:

Les Gobelins au siècle des Lumières: Un âge d’or de la Manufacture royale
The Gobelins in the Enlightenment: A Golden Age of the Royal Manufactory
Galerie des Gobelins, Paris, 8 April — 27 July 2014

A selection of the best tapestries woven at the Gobelins during the 18th century will be presented along with painted models from the collections of the Mobilier national. The extraordinary impetus to rebuild the second manufactory of the Gobelins in 1662, under the direction of Charles Le Brun, is reflected in the works of 18th century.

Traditional religious subjects (The Old Testament by Antoine Coypel) are woven in parallel with innovative pieces inspired by the undeniable success of Cervantes’ novel. The subject of epic history (History by Marc-Antoine after Charles Natoire) is maintained, while other less edifying series appear, destined for royal apartments (for instance, The Loves of God, after various painters such as François Boucher and Joseph-Marie Vien). Alongside these innovations, replicas after pieces from the 16th century remain sought after. The late years of this century correspond with a return to the national past (History of France tapestry). Upholstered furniture (sofas and armchairs) equally characterizes this era of creative abundance.

Exhibited works: 25 tapestries, 25 original cartoons or models, 25 drawings and prints.