The Tent of Darius also known as The Queens of Persia at Ale - Lot 38

The Tent of Darius also known as The Queens of Persia at Alexander's Feet Tapestry from the Manufacture Royale d'Aubusson Part of the History of Alexander hanging Based on a model from the last third of the 17th century by Charles Lebrun (1619-1690) Signed in the lower braid MRDAVBUSSON JS PRADEAU for MANUFACTURE ROYALE D'AUBUSSON and probably Jacques PRADEAU First quarter of the 18th century H. 2.89 x W. 4.12 m H. 9ft 5 ½ x W. 13ft 6 ½ The Tent of Darius, from L'Histoire d'Alexandre, was one of the most popular designs of the Aubusson workshops in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. This example, from the first quarter of the 18th century, retains its bright colors. The use of red makes the scene more pleasing, compared with muted, red-free weavings of the late 18th century. The composition is set within an old gold frame-like border. Iconography: The scene is described in Quinte Curce, Histoire d'Alexandre, translated into French in 1655. After the battle of Issos, Alexander went to Darius' camp, which he had abandoned. The Persian queens bowed to Ephestion, Alexander's favorite, whom they had mistaken for the conqueror. Darius' mother threw herself at Alexander's feet to ask forgiveness for her mistake. The victor was merciful. Origin of the model : Charles Le Brun's painting, which he did at Versailles (apparently in the presence of the king), is kept at the Château de Versailles. This scene was first woven at the Manufacture Royale des Gobelins, from 1664 onwards, with the motto Il est d'un roi de se vaincre soi-même. Through l'Histoire d'Alexandre, Louis XIV was glorified as a new Alexander. Colbert sent copies of the Histoire d'Alexandre cartoons to the Aubusson upholsterers. These models were simplified versions of Le Brun's paintings (Bertrand, Chevalier, 1988, p. 71). Materials and condition: Woven in wool and silk (wool warp, wool and silk weft), good overall condition, bright colors, some wear in brown tones. Provenance: - Sale in Montauroux 16.11.2012 References - La Tenture de l'Histoire d'Alexandre by Jean Vittet and various authors, catalog of the Exhibition Alexandre et Louis XIV, tissages de gloire (Paris, Galerie des Gobelins September 2008 - March 2009). - P.F. Bertrand, D. Chevalier, P. Chevalier, 1988, Les Tapisseries d'Aubusson et Felletin