Rebecca presents Abraham's servant to her family - Lot 21

Rebecca presents Abraham's servant to her family Paris tapestry, Workshop of Raphaël de la Planche Mid-17th century Part of a hanging from The Story of Abraham Model by Michel Corneille (1603-1664) H. 2.55 x W. 3.75 m H. 8ft 4 x W. 12 ft 3 Iconography: Abraham's servant, on his way to find a wife for Isaac, met Rebekah at the well. She gave him and his camels something to drink. He is seduced by Rebecca's kindness, and gives her a ring and bracelets intended for Isaac's future wife. He accompanies Rebecca to introduce him to her family, and she shows them the jewels. The tapestry's beautiful composition, in which the figures are harmoniously deployed within a rule of isocephaly (heads at the same level). Related tapestries: The History of Abraham tapestry after Michel Corneille included six subjects (see Coquery, 2006, pp. 114-117). The same tapestry, but larger and with border, is reproduced on p.115, and is in the Dortmund Museum. The Château de Châteaudun has tapestries of L'Histoire d'Abraham. Materials and Condition: Woven in wool and silk: Wool warp, wool and silk weft. The tapestry retains beautiful coloring - missing border, some color highlights. Provenance : - Private collection - Sale at Drouot 15.12.1977 Bibliographical references - Emmanuel Coquery, 2006, catalog for the exhibition Michel Corneille, un peintre du roi au temps de Mazarin, April 8 - July 9, 2006, Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Orléans.