Bacchus or Autumn - Lot 260

Bacchus or Autumn Tapestry from the Manufacture Royale des Gobelins Part of the Portières des Dieux hanging, designed by Claude Audran le jeune (1658-1734) Circa 1725-1730, probably the workshop of Etienne-Claude Le Blond? (Dating and attribution to Le Blond uncertain, based on comparisons with similar models of portières des Dieux with red and pink backgrounds, held at the Mobilier National. Based on a carton by Claude Audran III, circa 1699. Woven in wool and silk H. 3.50 x W.2.40 cm Commissioned by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, superintendent of the king's buildings (1699-1708), from Claude Audran III, for eight portières des Dieux. Cartons executed by Claude Audran III for the grotesques, Louis de Boulogne and Michel II Corneille for the figures, and Alexandre-François Desportes for the animals. The Portières des dieux hanging featured eight subjects: the Four Seasons and the Four Elements, each personified by a god or goddess. The models were commissioned by Mansart from 1699 onwards. Les Portières des Dieux were a great success and were woven throughout the 18th century, with numerous variations in backgrounds, borders and decorative elements. Tapestries with crimson backgrounds were mostly woven in Neilson's basse-lisse workshop, around 1770. Bacchus, depicted in the center of the composition, crowned with pampers, half-clad in panther skin and seated on a cloud, carrying a wine cup in his right hand, alongside a child swallowing a bunch of grapes. The god is depicted under a portico animated by vine branches, acanthus leaves, ribbons, colonnettes and birds, including two parrots in the upper part of the picture, inscribed with the sign of Scorpio. Bacchus is enthroned above a bowl flanked by two nautiluses mounted in silverware and two drinking vessels, surmounting a wine fountain guarded on either side by a pair of panther and satyr. To the left and right of the portico hang the signs of Libra and Sagittarius, to which are attached musical instruments and accessories floating above two cats resting on consoles terminating in scrolls. Pink background weave without gold; 1st border in imitation of a carved gilded frame. The tapestry retains its beautiful, vivid colors. It is in good condition, with some wear. A similar tapestry is in the Musée du Louvre (inv. OA 11133. 3rd border and pink damask background used from 1771). The Mobilier National conserves several weavings of the Bacchus - l'Automne from the Portières des Dieux tapestry: Border removed, yellow background. History: Basse-Lice without gold Carton: circa 1699. Inv: IAT-14-000. Weaving: period 1740 - 1774 Without gold - third border - Neilson workshop. Carton: circa 1699. Inv: GOB-237-000. Weaving: period 1740-1774 Signature: fleur-de-lys G. Neilson Basse-lice à or - De La Fraye workshop, 1st border. Carton: circa 1699. Inv.: GMTT-638-000 Weaving: circa 1700 References Maurice Fenaille - Etat Général de la Manufacture des Gobelins depuis son origine jusqu'à nos jours - 1904- Volume III, pages 1 to 60 VITTET, Jean, Les Gobelins au siècle des Lumières. Un âge d'or de la manufacture royale, cat. exp. Paris, Manufacture des Gobelins, April 8, 2014 - January 18, 2015 Provenance: - VIGO-STERNBERG Galleries, London, purchased 1975 ; - Collection of Monsieur and Madame A., in their Hôtel particulier near the Champs-Élysées ; - By descent to the current owner.