A Gobelins Allegorial Tapestry of "La Terre," from the series of the Four Elements, after a design by Charles Le Brun (1619-1690), circa 1710

Galerie Chevalier, Paris, 1990

Lo Specchio e il Doppio, Turin, 24 June - 11 October, 1987, p.169, no. 54

Colors are slightly warmer in reality compared with catalogue image. Rich colors of the whole palette. Some small open warps, losses to silk and minor splits. Restoration throughout, particularly to cream colored silk areas. Slightly reduced. Some later selvege. Wonderful quality. Ready to hang.
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Charles Le Brun was the most influential designer during the rule of Louis XIV, at which time he supervised the production of paintings, sculpture and decorative objects commissioned by the French court. The tapestry series "The Elements" was originally created by Le Brun for the Royal Gobelins manufactory in 1664 and along with the series "the Seasons," they were among the workshop's greatest successes.

In this weaving, the goddess Ceres, representing Earth, is holding a sheaf of wheat and a shield. Cybele, 'Earth mother' and ruler over nature, sits beside Ceres in a magnificent lion-drawn chariot. An identical tapestry was in the collection of Gaston Menier, sold at Galerie Charpentier, 24 November 1936, no 106. 

RELATED LITERATURE:
M. Fenaille État général des tapisseries de la manufacture des gobelins, période Louis XIV, Paris, 1903, pp. 51-66