International studio (60.1916/1917)

Gobelin and Beauvais Tapestries of the Morgan Collection

Gobelin and beauvais tap-
estries OF THE MORGAN
COLLECTION
r BY GEORGE LELAND HUNTER

Among the most important and interesting
Gobelin and Beauvais tapestries in the world are
those that formed part of the famous collection
of the late J. Pierpont Morgan, consisting of three
Comedies of Moliere designed by Oudry and
woven at Beauvais, and five Don Quixote panels
designed by Charles Coypel and woven at the
Gobelins. All were for years on exhibition at the
Metropolitan Museum in New York, where they
were seen by thousands and formed the subject
of many special lectures and lecture promenades.
They are now for the first time adequately and

correctly described in print, while illustrations are
given of two of each set.
All are richly endowed with the charm that is a
distinguishing characteristic of French art of the
eighteenth century, the decorative frames and
mats extending delightfully the significance of the
comparatively small picture medallions. All the
pictures are in the style of Louis XV, and the
frames and mats of the Moliere set are emphat-
ically Rococo; but the frames and mats of the
Don Quixote set are almost Louis XVI, having
been remodelled under classic influence toward
the end of the reign of Louis XV. The Moliere
set was designed in 1732, as is confirmed by Ou-
dry’s signature, and was woven the same or the
following year; the Don Quixote pictures were
designed at various intervals during the first

L’ESCOLE DES MARIS BEAUVAIS TAPESTRY DESIGNED BY OUDRY


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