Tapestry has been a French tradition for centuries. It has contributed greatly to the embellishment of our French heritage. From the Middle Ages to the end of the 16th century, the tapestry workshops of Northern France, Paris and the Val-de-Loire created marvels of tapestry. These works can be admired in our châteaux and national museums.
In the 17th century, Colbert founded the Gobelins in 1660, followed by the royal manufacture at Beauvais. He then set up weaving workshops in Aubusson and Felletin. It was for these workshops that the greatest Italian painters of the Renaissance produced their remarkable works.
Today, several weaving mills perpetuate the Jacquard loom in their workshops, offering reproductions of these Aubusson tapestries. Today, these manufacturers also offer fine reproductions of paintings by artists such as Klimt, as well as more modern works by Picasso and Miro.
Tapestry from the Middle Ages
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During the Middle Ages and up until the Hundred Years’ War, Ile-de-France was the largest producer of tapestries, with Paris the undisputed capital. The war and the systematic pillaging of cities caused our weavers to flee to the North, where they created the Ateliers d’Arras. But after the sacking of the city, the tapestry-makers fled back to Flanders, making it their new metropolis. True craftsmen working as a family, they enjoyed weaving biblical scenes, then, inspired by translations of Greek and Latin texts, mythological scenes. |
15th-century tapestry
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Towards the end of the 15th century, the Loire Valley welcomed our tapestry-makers, and it was in this “cradle of our kings” that the most prestigious pieces in our museums were born:“Les mille fleurs“, country subjects full of freshness and charm, where gentlewomen, lords and peasants frolic against a background of “Loire-side” flowers. The late Middle Ages saw the emergence of epic subjects. Kings and princes wove scenes of their tournaments, battles and victories, as well as their hunting parties. This period remains the most prolific in terms of incomparable masterpieces. |
Renaissance tapestry
With the arrival of Italian artists during the Renaissance, tapestry underwent a radical change in style. Combining painting and tapestry, Raphael introduced the art of composition, order, clarity, perspective, decoration, rich borders and arabesques that would give tapestry the “high color” characteristic of the Renaissance.
In France, around 1530, François 1er founded the first royal tapestry factory in Fontainebleau. Around 1660, Colbert founded Les Gobelins, followed four years later by Beauvais, under the protection of Louis XIV. More than 800 painters and upholsterers were brought together at Les Gobelins in Paris, under the direction of Charles Le Brun, whose idea was to specialize artists according to their gifts and affinities. This is why it is not uncommon to find a carton signed by several different artists.
After the death of Louis XIV, official, solemn subjects disappeared, giving way to the most unbridled fantasy. Throughout the reigns of Louis XV and Louis XVI, nature and sensuality triumphed. Gallant and voluptuous scenes follow one another across lush landscapes. A style that reached its apogee with Boucher.
>> Discover our “History and Legends” collection and our Baroque tapestries.
Aubusson tapestry
The Revolution put an end to the creative genius of the upholsterers. But in 1795, Beauvais, Aubusson and Felletin reopened, and until the 19th century they reproduced the designs of the greatest cartonniers from royal factories.
Tapestry techniques changed over the centuries. Around 1757, Jacques de Vaucanson perfected a basse lisse loom, later slightly improved by Joseph Marie Jacquard (1752-1834). This loom is at the origin of the technique we use today in our workshops to produce our stitches, particularly the Halluin stitch. A technique that has enabled tapestry to adapt to the modern world while retaining its authenticity.
Tapestry today
Today, with more than five centuries separating us from the first great works woven by the weavers of Flanders and France, we are proud to be able to offer all art lovers genuine collector’s items that will enrich their interiors, whatever their style or size.
These precious works, patiently realized with all our desire to bring traditional tapestry to life in our decors, we offer you to discover them through the following pages…
>> All our tapestries on the theme “Flowers and Bouquets”!
