- 703
A Beauvais Tapestry of Vulcan and Venus, from the series 'Les Amours des Dieux', after designs by Francois Boucher, third quarter 18th century
Estimate
15,000 - 25,000 USD
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Description
- signature and date woven in reverse on the chest at lower left: F. Bouche / 1749
- third quarter 18th century
Provenance
Sold New York, Sotheby's, 13 January 1992, Lot 564;
Where acquired by present owner.
Where acquired by present owner.
Literature
N. Forti Grazzini, Il Patrimonio artistico del Quirinale: gli arazzi, Rome and Milan 1994, vol. II, p. 514
Condition
Needs lining. Needs extensive restoration. Splits and losses throughout (particularly throughout sky and all light colored silk areas). Reduced. Beautiful quality and wonderful colors of the whole palette.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
The series 'Les Amours des Dieux', designed by François Boucher, includes a total of nine subjects inspired by Ovid's Metamorphoses. The present weaving represents the eighth subject of the set, known to have been woven between 1752 and 1772 at least sixteen times. All of the subjects were woven by 1750, with the exception of the Venus and Vulcan piece; however the date of 1749 here illustrates that the present composition had indeed been designed earlier. Standen (op. cit.) mentions specifically only five tapestries which are both signed by Boucher and are dated 1749. There are compositional variants and differences in border design, if one exists.
RELATED LITERATURE
J. Badin, La Manufacture de Beauvais, Paris 1912, p. 61;
E. Standen, European Post-Medieval Tapestries and Related Hangings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, vol. II, pp. 534-539, fig. 79a.