Wool, Silk, Gold.
H. 15 ft. 8 in.
W. 11 ft. 10 in.
Formerly in the Lord Amherst Collection.
Illustrated: Badin, La Manufacture de la Tapisserie de Beauvais, opp. p. 4.
Lent by P. W. French & Company.
THE CONQUEST OF LOUIS THE GREAT: Louis XIV on horseback with two attendants points with his cane to the siege of a city whose defenses are surrounded by water. In the upper border appear the arms of Count Bruhl of Saxony. The piece is one of a set of seven.
This is a very rare example from one of the earliest sets woven at Beauvais when the factory was under the direction of Behagle. The cartoon was designed either by Van der Meulen or his greatest pupil, Jean-Baptiste Martin, later called Martin of the Battles, because of a famous series of cartoons which he made for the Beauvais works illustrating the victories of Sweden over Denmark.
The richness of the king's group stands out brilliantly against the clear, cool color and sharp geometrical lines of the background. The city with its canals and buildings is exquisitely rendered, an interesting anticipation of an aeroplane view.
Adam Frans Van der Meulen (1632-1690) was a native of Brussels and studied there under Peter Snayers, but on recommendation of Le Brun was invited by Colbert to Paris, where he was pensioned by the king and given apartments in the Gobelins. In 1673 be was received into the Academy. He collaborated with Le Brun in making designs for the Gobelins, notably for the series of The History of the King.
53-56 BRUSSELS, BEGINNING XVIII CENTURY
Wool.
No. 53:
H. 10 ft. 7 in.
W. 29 ft.
No. 54:
H. 10 ft. 4 in.
W. 9 ft. 4 in.
No. 55:
H. 10 ft. 3½ in.
W. 7 ft. 2 in.
No. 56:
H. 10 ft. 4½ in.
W. 7 ft. 3 in.
Formerly in Stowe House.
Lent by Jacques Seligmann & Company.
THE OPERATIONS OF THE SIEGE OF LILLE: Number 53 represents the battle of Wynendael Wood. Lord Cobham on horseback with his sword drawn is in the midst of his troops.
Number 54 shows the burning of Lille. The burning city is seen in the background. Soldiers in the foreground are getting bundles of wood to feed the flames.