Panel of tapestry from the Manufacture Royale... Lot 372

Panel of tapestry from the Manufacture Royale d'Aubusson, late 17th century. "The wedding of Paris and Hélène". Height : 235cm ; Width : 360cm. Technical characteristics : Wool and silk. Part of a series of 8 paintings on the story of Paris and Hélène, probably from the workshops of Jacques de Clarasvaux after cartoons by the King's painter, Isaac Moillon (1614-1673). The wedding sequence between the Trojan Pâris and the Greek Hélène sows the seeds of the Trojan War. Here, the young couple are surrounded by Paris' parents, Priam and Hecuba, and introduced to foreign guests. The hanging would have comprised seven or eight pieces, and this scene would have followed the one depicting "The Judgment of Paris". While specialists suggest that Isaac Moillon, the main painter working for the Manufactures de la Marche, is the author of the models for these tapestries, the theme of which is largely unknown in Parisian workshops, it is clear that this tapestry is not the only one in the collection. A panel similar to the one here is in the Château de Gramont collection. It should be noted that a series of identical tapestries is mentioned in the crown inventory of 1671 (wear and maintenance restorations).