A tapestry depicting 'Europe' from the tenture des Quatre parties du monde, Brussels, late 17th/early 18th century, after Lodewijk Van Schoor, probably by Alexander Baert Ier

made with wool and silk, depicting Europe as a young lady on a throne, facing three women symbolizing the Arts, the Music and the Sciences, with crowns at her feet, pointing with her sceptre at the three figures at her right, representing the wealth of the continent

Literature references:
E. Kalf, 'Vier van Deelen of Weereldt als Andersints', in Artes Textiles, Ghent, 1981, vol. X, pp. 238-239, 244

The illustration of the catalogue is accurate. The scale of the tapestry is impressive, with fresh and vivid colours, especially the red, the pink and yellow colours. The lining has been recently replaced. There are important restorations to the borders, with replacements. There are some restorations to the central design as expected. A rare tapestry from a famous tenture in good restored condition.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

At the end of the 17th century, Nicolaas Naulaerts, an Antwerp tapestry merchant, commissioned the tenture, "Four parts of the world" to Lodewijk Van Schoor, a major figure in Flemish tapestry during the late 17th and early 18th century, in the same vein as Victor Honoré Janssens and Jan van Orley. A member of the Antwerp painters Guild since 1664, then of the Brussels Guild in 1678, this painter was specialized in allegorical and mythological figures. The attribution of these cartoons to Van Schoor was made possible due to the mention of his name in some of Naulaerts' documents, as well as his signature on some versions of the "Four parts of the world" tenture.


The wall hangings, "Quatre parties du monde" consists of four continents, Europe, Asia, America and Africa. Australia, although known since 1616, will not really be considered a continent in itself until the second half of the 18th century, after the explorations of James Cook in the Pacific, which changed the traditional iconography. Our tapestry represents Europe, depicted here by a young woman sitting on a canopied throne, facing three women embodying Arts, Music and Science. A set of crowns at her feet, Europe points with her scepter to three figures to her left, appearing to symbolize the strength and wealth of the continent.


The production of the tapestries can be attributed to the weaver Alexander Baert due to the signature visible on a version of the tapestry housed in the Museo Nacional de Arte Antigua, Lisbon dated 1690. Baert was owner of a workshop in Oudenaarde, then in Gouda from 1696 and finally in Amsterdam from 1700.  Another copy of the series, where the "Four parts of the world" are accompanied by allegories of Victory and Abundance, are in the collection at the Petit Palais, Paris (inv. PP 03514), and would be slightly later, dating between 1698 and 1752 and produced by Baert's workshop, this time in Amsterdam.