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Gobelins Tapestry: Opulence and splendor at the Royal Court

Some of the most detailed and exquisite tapestry art in the world occurred in the Gobelins Factory in Paris exclusively for royal palaces. During the seventeenth and eighteenth century the factory was at the height of production and was at a time when the world looked to France for artistic inspiration. Creating detailed and distinguished tapestries for Royal Palaces during the eighteenth century the work exuded wealth, extravagance and luxury and adorned the walls of the Palace of Versailles.

Sources and techniques

The workshop was born Gobelins in 1450 as a dyeing factory in Paris suburb, founded by Jean Gobelin, and emerged into a tapestry weaving workshop with the arrival of two Flemish weavers, Marc de Comans and Francois de la Planche after being called to the Court of Henry IV in 1601.

Tapestries were used to present the walls and give a sense of grandeur to a residence. Works emerged designed by Rubens, Simon Vouet, Goya and other leading artists as the factory produces some of the greatest tapestries of the day and of all time, commissioned for rights. In 1661 the Gobelins workshop became a center of excellence when Louis XIV's finance minister, Jean-Baptiste Colbert amalgamated the existing Paris workshops in one place, their role of providing furniture for the Royal palaces including the royal chamber of Louis XIV. Often a tapestry would take years to produce and offers a vision of the economy at the time as wealthy courtiers committed money for a long term project. With Versailles being the height of inspiration, fashion and design, the use of tapestries at the Royal Court and their exquisite workmanship ensured their popularity throughout Europe.

The technique used was very specific and detailed, and eventually became known as a Tapestry or tissue, and is a technique in itself. It is very different from other printed fabrics that are not used in weft threads along the entire length of a fabric. Each unit or at the bottom is stitched with a weft thread and only when the color appears in the design. No knots are used in Gobelin technique. An apprenticeship for an employee Gobelins lasted eight to ten years, largely because also his own dyed wool upholstery. The Gobelins colors still exist today as a legacy of industry dyeing, the best known is Gobelin Blue. Three high warp or high lisse looms which stood vertically and a low warp loom is used to make a tapestry, often using several people on a loom. A designer cartoon or painting on canvas design, which would be interpreted and woven by artisans. These craftsmen worked from wrong side of a tapestry, using a mirror to see the pop masterpiece. Typically, a Gobelin tapestry would be surrounded by an ornate frame, also tissue This gave a trompe d'oeil impression that the finished masterpiece.

The seduction of the upholstery

One of the most famous courtesans French history, Madame de Pompadour, had significant influence in the Palace of Versailles and the court of Louis XIV. She was famed for her extravagant commissioning of art form of paintings, porcelain and tapestry to seduce powerful men at Versailles including the king. One of his disciples, Francois Boucher, became master of the Gobelins Factory and some of his most famous tapestry was made in Madame de Pompadour. These include The sunrise and sunset as decorations legendary for his residence in the castle of Bellville.

Place of Rescue

One of the few complete collections Gobelins, sometimes called "the Indian Wall Hangings , visit the Grand Master's Palace in Malta. The tapestries have been adapted from paintings at the request of Louis XIV and purchased by the Grand Master of Malta. During his trip to the island were captured by pirates off Sicily and a large ransom paid to ensure safe delivery in Malta. This work was completed in 1710 and depicts scenes of South America and Africa, virtually unknown at the time. Wild animals emerge from the tapestry, giving the impression of a wild and untamed land, while the colorful birds bring an exotic air to work. The mixture of colors ensures detailed and vivid perspective to the tapestries which captured the imagination of those who saw them, full of wild, native animals, plants and hunting scenes. This works well outside France helped spread the popularity of the Gobelins factory in Europe.

A witness to history

In the eighteenth century drew to a close the opulence that had adorned the Royal Courts of France was not fashionable and gradually fell into disgrace. The splendor and luxury of the palaces cocoon actual inhabitants in tapestry covered walls, when outside in the streets of Paris a different picture of life was emerging. The French Revolution destroyed many palaces and fine homes in France and executed or exiled the clientele on which industry depended. With them went a number tapestries, condemned to burn, and reigned terror. More simple and practical design emerged with the work of designers such as, enabling a wider population own a tapestry and for more to be affordable. Gobelins Factory is still in existence in Paris, having adapted to the centuries of change, and works on designs created especially state buildings, still maintain the air of exclusivity.

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About the Author

Angela Dawson-Field has written various articles for The Tapestry House. Her favourite subjects include Medieval and Religious Tapestry art.

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