18th Century French Aubusson Gouache Tapestry Design in Giltwood Frame

$1,995

About

Delicately rendered in a soft Rococo palette, this antique Aubusson gouache presents a charming pastoral fête galante. Crafted in France circa 1760, the composition was conceived as a preparatory design for a woven tapestry and is displayed under glass within a molded giltwood frame.

At the center, an oval medallion depicts elegantly dressed figures dancing and conversing in an idyllic country landscape. The scene is framed by a golden border surmounted by a stylized shell and suspended from a ribbon bow. Graceful garlands of pink, white and blue flowers extend across the muted green ground, while additional female figures appear among the blossoms at either side. The delicate brushwork, lyrical subject and harmonious colors reflect the refined decorative vocabulary of the Louis XV period.

Known as tapestry cartoons or designs, works of this type provided Aubusson weavers with the composition, colors and tonal relationships needed to translate a painted image into wool and silk. The celebrated workshops of Aubusson produced tapestries, upholstery panels and decorative textiles for prestigious European interiors throughout the 18th century.

The gouache is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use, retaining beautifully preserved colors and its appealing antique character.

Dimensions: 46″ W x 24.5″ H

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