A fine tapestry of Spring
from the Four Seasons series, Lille, French c1700.
9ft 11in x 7ft 11in : 398cm x 242cm
French tapestry manufacturers began to challenge the long-standing dominance of the Flemish industry, in the mid 17th century. After King Louis XIV's conquest of Lille in 1667, this prosperous Northern city became an important centre of tapestry production.
Though French in name many of its entrepreneurs emigrated from Flanders. In 1688, the weaver Jean de Melter established a workshop in Lille. De Melter was succeeded by his son-in-law Guillaume Werniers in 1701. The production resembles more Flemish work rather than French though the facial features here have French characteristics.
The subject matter of an abundance of fruit and vegetation indicates the season of Spring with produce from harvesting, The figure of a strolling man with a spade can be found on numerous Tenier tapestries of the same period. The tapestry retains original fresh colour and is made with wool and silk threads.
