18th Century French Aubusson Pastoral Tapestry With Fishermen, Verdure & Castle

Details

Description

This elegant and large antique tapestry was woven in Aubusson, France, circa 1760, and features a beautifully balanced pastoral composition … Read more This elegant and large antique tapestry was woven in Aubusson, France, circa 1760, and features a beautifully balanced pastoral composition typical of the famed ateliers. Executed in fine wool with silk highlights, the rectangular scene captures a tranquil riverside landscape animated with figures: fishermen casting and hauling their nets, a young boy assisting with the catch, and workers gathering mussels along the shore. A grand French château rises in the distance behind a calm lake dotted with boats, while the foreground bursts with verdant foliage, flowering plants, rocky outcrops, and graceful mature trees rendered in nuanced shades of blue, green, ochre, and soft terra cotta. The exceptional palette, dominated by cool verdure tones with selective warm accents, reflects the refined aesthetic of mid-18th-century Aubusson production, where naturalistic shading and delicate transition of tones were achieved through masterful basse-lisse weaving. A slim woven border frames the textile, and a new linen backing has been added for longevity and preservation. Aubusson tapestries have long been celebrated as the height of French textile artistry.
Originating in the Creuse region, the workshops thrived under royal patronage and became synonymous with verdure landscapes, pastoral narratives, and elegant architectural vistas. Appreciated by European aristocracy for their scale, detail, and decorative sophistication, these handwoven works remain enduring statements of craftsmanship and timeless French taste. This tapestry is in good condition commensurate with age and use, retaining strong design clarity and much of its original chromatic richness despite expected wear consistent with a mid-18th-century textile. A superb statement piece suitable for a grand salon, library, stair hall, or château-style interior.
Dimensions: 127" W x 89" H. See less