Large French Tapestry After Raphael: “The Miraculous Draught of Fishes”

Details

Description

France, 19th Century
Wool and silk weft on linen warp
Measures: 63.5" W x 52" H

A finely woven French … Read more France, 19th Century
Wool and silk weft on linen warp
Measures: 63.5" W x 52" H

A finely woven French tapestry from the 19th century, depicting The Miraculous Draught of Fishes after the celebrated High Renaissance cartoon by Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino (Raphael, Italian, 1483–1520). Originally designed by Raphael in 1515 for Pope Leo X, the composition was intended for the series of papal tapestries commissioned for the Sistine Chapel, and the present example reflects the enduring influence of this cycle on ecclesiastical and decorative arts well into the 19th century.

In this particular version, Christ is shown standing near the edge of the water, instructing Simon Peter and his fellow fishermen to lower their nets after a fruitless night. The moment captured is one of revelation and transformation, as the miraculous catch fills their boats, serving as a metaphor for spiritual abundance and divine authority. The narrative is situated in a lush, stylized landscape, where a trio of long-legged wading birds—likely cranes or herons—gracefully occupies the foreground. These naturalistic additions, typical of verdure tapestries, enhance the pastoral serenity of the scene.

Rendered in a soft palette of vegetal greens, terracotta, and dusty blues, the composition is framed by an elegant border of stylized foliage and flowering scrollwork. The weaving, likely from a regional French workshop such as Aubusson or Felletin, employs a tight, painterly technique, with nuanced shading and deliberate blurring to evoke the atmospheric depth of the original Renaissance composition.

While the subject is derived from Raphael's Sistine cartoon, which now resides in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, this version likely stems from a French 19th-century revivalist production during the height of the Neo-Renaissance and Gothic Revival periods. Tapestries of this kind were especially popular with ecclesiastical institutions and the French bourgeoisie, reflecting both a devotional intent and an aesthetic appreciation for early Italianate sources.

Later backed with velvet for display purposes, the tapestry remains in stable condition with expected toning and wear commensurate with age. Its scale and subject make it particularly suited for study collections or historic interior installations. See less