DescriptioN

Reference No.: 78J/ 2743

Origin: France

Period: 16th century

Origin: Private Collection

Composition: Wool and silk

Dimension: 2.50 L x 3.00 H

HISTORY: The so-called cabbage leaf tapestries, which take their name from the exuberant presence of foliage close to the leaves of cruciferous plants, are among the most remarkable and mysterious of tapestries. The visual dynamism of the drawing -provided by the profusion of wild foliage that seems to emerge from the darkness - sometimes seems to be at the limit of abstraction for the modern eye.

While the origins of these powerful images are somewhat blurred, their impact is nevertheless strong.

The oldest of the tapestries have a rather classical and ordered background decorated with flowers and foliage. We find some as early as 1430 in an inventory by Philippe le Bon in which a tapestry is described as follows: "of Arras thread, with several grasses and flowers, worked in the middle of two characters, sitting of a knight and a lady, and of six children's characters".

More wild and almost surreal, cabbage leaf tapestries appeared in the middle of the first half of the 16th century and probably derived from millefleurs tapestries. While the latter kept an apparent peace and order and were drawn without any perspective, the cabbage leaf tapestries, with their large leaves showing a rich and spontaneous imaginary nature, defying form and reason, are resolutely three-dimensional.

These tapestries are known as cabbage leaves or aristolochian leaves although the name cabbage leaf is incorrect because they are more acanthus leaves.

The broad-leafed green tapestry has introduced not only a three-dimensional but also a naturalistic aspect. This aspect is reinforced by the introduction of birds and occasionally mythological animals but more rarely human figures. The predominant vision is that of an untamed nature that man has not yet disturbed; an image that is both fascinating but also threatening and undoubtedly emblematic of the Garden of Eden

Our house assures you the sale of a tapestry with invoice and approved expertise, well cleaned, in good condition with its fixing system. If necessary, we will inform you of the work that has been done. All our tapestries can be presented to you at your home in France and neighbouring countries before your final decision.