Beschreibung:

DescriptionProperty from an Important English Private CollectionA French Louis XIV Classical Allegorical Tapestry, Gobelins manufactory, depicting 'Air', from the series 'The Elements', after Charles Le Brun (1619-1690), cartoons by Baudouin Yvart (1611-1690), probably from workshop of Jean de la Croix third quarter 17th century
Woven with a landscape centred with a cloud supporting the figure of Juno and her attribute of a peacock, and winged female, possible Isis, holding a shield, and the figure of Aeolus who controls the winds, with various birds filling the foreground and perched in the trees of the flanking treesApproximately 266cm high, 469cm wide; 8ft. 7in., 15ftCondition reportOverall measurements: 467cm across the top, 469cm across the bottom, 265cm along the left edge, 266cm along the right edge. The tapestry has a linen backing. The colour is generally good overall and evenly a little faded. There are areas which are distressed and weaker, which include the light areas of highlights and sky, which are commensurate with age and the colours used. There is a vertical shaped join and repair towards the right hand edge of the tapestry, where it may have been folded over in the past. The tapestry has been reduced in height and width, and sections of the border are associated, visible as different colours. Generally stable condition. Brittle condition and would benefit from professional cleaning. Very decorative tapestry with some charming details.
Please note that Condition 12 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Online Only) is not applicable to this lot.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.ProvenanceSotheby's, New York, 13 January 1995, lot 1211.LiteratureFenaille, Etat général des tapisseries de la manufacture des Gobelins, II, XIII Les Eléments.Catalogue noteThe allegorical series of the Four Elements, represented Air, Earth, Fire and Water, and was designed in 1664 by the court painter and director of the Gobelins Royal Manufactory, Charles Le Brun  
Air was sacred to Juno in antiquity and the goddess was identified by her attribute of the peacock. The goddess is also associated with the god Aeolus in the Story of Ulysses, when Juno took sides with the Greeks against the Trojans and persuaded Aeolus to release the power of the winds against the Trojans. The Elements were a popular, dramatic and extremely decorative subject matter and on the large scale of the original Le Brun series, were very prestigious and influential weavings. The allegorical subjects were personalised with elements in the borders to celebrate the virtues of those for whom they were woven, following on from those for Louis XIV. 
There is a comparable weaving of the weaving of Air, from the first woven set of this series, woven for Louis XIV, on low warp looms, using wool, silk and metal thread detailing, and incorporating the coat of arms of France and Navarre, in the Mobilier National Collection, France (Inv. GMTT-64-001). The prestige of the Le Brun Elements series influenced the English workshops and a version from the original cartoons with some variations, woven in reverse by the workshop of John Vanderbank the Elder, circa 1688-1695, is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (Inv. T.273-1989) and versions were made for Ralph Montagu, 1st Duke of Montagu, with personalised detailing in the borders.