Aubusson Tapestry C. 1640 Narcissus At The Fountain

The Galerie Montbaron is honored to present this magnificent mid-17th-century Aubusson tapestry, a work that illustrates the transition to the maturity of the French Baroque through the myth of Narcissus at the fountain. In contrast to the lightness of the late Rococo, this tapestry explores the psychological and moral depths of Ovid's Metamorphoses, faithfully inspired by a famous 16th-century engraving by Crispin de Passe (1565-1637). In this masterfully executed scene, the viewer witnesses the precise moment when Narcissus, consumed by an unattainable desire, gazes upon his own reflection, embodying Ovid's warning against vanity and illusion, a theme dear to the French Renaissance, popularized by the verses of Pontus de Tyard, Ronsard, and Desportes. The landscape architecture and the treatment of vegetation, characteristic of Aubusson workshops of this period, lend the narrative a tragic solemnity and an academic elegance. This piece is not only a masterpiece of French tapestry, but also a testament to the enduring influence of Mannerist engraving on the decorative arts of the Grand Siècle, where classical myth becomes a mirror of the human condition. - Provenance: Private collection - Dimensions: 263 x 137 cm - Good condition, with slight signs of wear. The colors are magnificent, offering a superb palette of complex greens and blues. - Minor restorations, consistent with the age of the work. - The work will be shipped and packaged with care, and will be delivered to you promptly.