A Beauvais Tapestry depicting 'La Danse et la Curiosité' from the 'Fêtes Italiennes' Suite, After designs by François Boucher, 18th century

Sold Paris, Hôtel George V, 23 June 1988, lot 129 (group of four tapestries);
where acquired by the present owner.

Lined with velcro. New selvage. Lacking border. Well-done restoration throughout, particularly in much of the light colored areas. Other minor losses. Good colors of whole palette. The tapestry in reality is more golden and brighter than the catalog image. Ready to hang.
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 1734, Jean Baptiste Oudry was appointed co-director of the royal tapestry workshop at Beauvais, where he had been chief designer since 1726. Oudry engaged François Boucher as designer and the series Fêtes Italiennes, a group of fanciful compositions recalling Boucher's stay in Italy between 1728-1731, was the first of six series of tapestries that Boucher created at the Beauvais Workshop between 1734-1755. Boucher's designs became the mainstay of the manufactory operations.

The Fêtes Italiennes included fifteen pieces, most of which were based on eight large painted models executed by Boucher. The compositions were woven separately or in combination (as in the present weaving), in accordance with the dimensions required. La Danse was the seventh tapestry in the series and was woven a total of thirteen times between 1744 and 1753. La Curiosité was the fifteenth in the series and was woven only twice.

The largest set, comprised of eight panels, is now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the largest single piece, combining four distinct compositions, is now in the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

RELATED LITERATURE

J. Badin, La Manufacture de tapisseries de Beauvais depuis ses origins jusqu'a nos jours, Paris 1909, p. 60;
E.A. Standen, "Fetes Italiennes: Beauvais Tapestries after Boucher in The Metropolitan Museum of Art," Metropolitan Museum Journal, XII, 1977, pp. 107-130;
E.A. Standen, European Post-Medieval Tapestries and Related Hangings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York 1985, vol. II, pp. 507-532, no. 8