The piece is a splendid illustration of the romantic attitude toward America at the time and a reminder of the importance America had to Europeans as a source of wealth. The mission on the hill, and another mission settlement in the valley of which a glimpse can be caught, are of especial interest.
43 FLANDERS, XVII CENTURY
Wool and Silk.
H. 11 ft. 10 in.
W. 11 ft.
Lent by P. W. French & Company.
VERDURE WITH BEAR HUNT: In a forest of large trees hunters shooting and spearing bears. In place of a border, large columns at the sides with floral garlands hung between them across the top.
The piece is a type of verdure, numbers of which with many variations were produced in Flanders during the XVIIth century. It is one of a set of five, and is a very strong, fresh example.
The substitution of massive columns for formal borders is characteristic of the Baroque period and serves the better to adapt the tapestry to the prevailing architecture.
44 BRUSSELS, XVII CENTURY
Wool and Silk.
H. 11 ft.
W. 18 ft. 8 in.
From the Morgan Collection, No. 17. Another example in the Swedish Royal Collection.
TRIUMPH OF AUGUSTUS AND LIVIA: Caesar offers the crown of victory to Augustus, who kneels before him. He is surrounded by his attendants and his chariot waits in the background. The side borders are of flower-draped columns, top and bottom borders of fruit and flower garlands, with ornaments. On the side borders are cartouches bearing the insignia: Pax. Aug. and Vic. Aug. (Pax Augusta and Victoria Augusta).
The piece is one of a series on the History of Julius Caesar, three of which were in the Morgan Collection. It has all the abundance and dramatic emphasis characteristic of the Baroque period.