Flemish "verdure" Tapestry, 18th Century

- Tapestry of the "Verdure" type woven in the 18th century in a Flemish workshop.

- Fine verdure woven in the 18th century in a Flemish workshop. This tapestry, typical of the Verdures, offers us an open window onto a green landscape where nature and the presence of man coexist, signified by architectural elements in the background. Positioning the observer at the edge of a wood, this point of view allows us to compose a landscape of great variety with depth; a foreground with large trees on each side like stage curtains revealing a landscape embellished with a stretch of water, a winding path leads the eye to what appears to be an abbey, a background populated by mountains. The vegetation is presented to us with great vivacity, as evidenced in particular by the sinuosity of the tree trunks, the perceptible movement of the foliage and the variety of flowers standing in the foreground.

- This greenery is distinguished by its fine weaving (7 threads/cm) which allowed the weavers to transcribe with great care the details of the design such as the reflections of the tree trunks in the water. Their attention to detail concerning the perspective is also palpable, we observe a great subtlety in the background where the foliage and mountains gradually fade to give depth. Moreover, the volumes are perceptible thanks to judicious choices of colors; light shades juxtaposed with darker ones and bursts of light introduced by touch, thanks to the use of golden yellow silk, at the ends of the leaves or on the twisted trunks on which the light has rested by piercing the foliage.

- The preserved colors offer pleasant shades of blue and green. The greens and the sustained blues contrast with the numerous uses of silk in the weaving thus creating an exceptionally luminous whole.

- The border is reported, its fineness is 8 threads/cm. It is composed of garlands of flowers and fruits echoing the vegetation of the central scene.

- Tapestry fully lined, rings as a hanging system.

- State of conservation: good general condition, some wear is to be noted, in particular the lower border (see photos), discreet re-entry on the right part

- Dimensions - height: 236 cm, width: 288 cm