Lot 107

A Brussels Historical Tapestry depicting Alexander and Porus, from the story of Alexander, woven by the Workshop of Jan Franz van den Hecke, after designs by Charles Le Brun circa 1690

bidding is closed

Description

height 13 ft. 1/2 in.; width 21 ft. 10 in.
3.96 m; 6.65 m

woven with large amounts of metal thread, Porus (King of Paurava, India) wounded at the battle of Hydaspes, with Latin inscription in upper central reserve: Pori regis victi captique / magnanimitatem non / misercodia modo sed / honore prosequitur * Alexander / illumque in amicorum numerum / recipit mox donat / ampliore regno, withing broad and sumptuous border of flowers, fruit and scrolling acanthus.

Provenance

Collection of the Margraves of Baden, Schloss Karlsruhe, sold Sotheby's, Baden-Baden, October 6, 1995, lot 1037

Literature

RELATED LITERATURE
E. Standen, European Post-Medieval Tapestries and Related Hangings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, vol. 1, New York 1985, no.37

Catalogue Note

The present and following lot, depicting two scenes from the military accomplishments of Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia and conqueror of most of the civilized world, are magnificent examples of the work produced by the Brussels manufactories in the latter part of the 17th century.

The scenes shown in these weavings were part of a larger series of subjects concerning the life of Alexander ordered by Louis XIV in circa 1660 for the newly established Gobelins manufactury. The designs were made after paintings by Charles Le Brun, all of which are now in the Louvre. In the latter part of the 17th century, Flemish weavers copied prints made after the paintings and added some subjects to the series. Examples include a set of six owned by Baron Rutger von Essen, Skokloster, Sweden and five in the Residenz, Wurzburg.