2-755-759 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Gobelins tapestries, late 17th-early18th century, (1898). 'Fig 1: Gobelin tapestry for the Castle of St. Germain [Château-Neuf de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris], designed for Louis XIV by D'Espouy. Fig 2: Border of a gobelin carpet representing the triumph of Hercules for Louis XIV's rooms at Versailles, designed by Noel Coypel. Figs 1 and 2 drawn by N. Vivien of Paris...Although the preparation of the weaved copy demands great skill, and for an exact resemblance of the original a master-hand is necessary, which can employ the most effectual methods, yet we must also remember that the perfection of this "picture-weaving" absolutely depends on the excellence of the painting. At the same time the painter must keep in mind the necessity of suiting his design to the technical processes at the weaver's command, and must avoid effects only attainable by painting in oils. If these rules are followed the copied fabric will have an artisticvalue in spite of all temporary changes of taste'. Plate 80b from "The Historic Styles of Ornament" translated from the German of H. Dolmetsch. [B.T. Batford, London, 1898]