Pair of tapestries; Aubusson, Napoleon III, second half of the 19th century.

Pair of tapestries; Aubusson, Napoleon III, second half of the 19th century.
“The Muses Polymnia and Terpsichore.”
Wool and silk.
Measurements: 180 x 105 cm (x2).
During the 19th century, Aubusson tapestry production reached a new height of splendor thanks to the revival of decorative motifs inspired by classical antiquity and 18th-century styles. This pair of tapestries, created during the reign of Napoleon III, fits within this context, combining the technical excellence of the craftsmanship with a refined iconographic program. The compositions depict two of the nine muses of Greek mythology: Polyhymnia, patroness of sacred hymns and religious poetry, and Terpsichore, muse of dance and choral song. Both figures appear isolated on architectural pedestals, identified by cartouches bearing their names and framed by delicate rocaille-inspired decoration, consisting of floral garlands, scrollwork, faux architectural elements, and light, airy ornamental motifs. The depiction reflects the academic ideal of the nineteenth century, which was in turn influenced by the archaeological discoveries of the time.
The quality of the weave, the precision of the design, and the compositional balance attest to the high technical level achieved by the Aubusson workshops during the 19th century, when the manufactory succeeded in restoring its prestige through the production of tapestries intended for the decoration of palaces and the residences of the upper middle class. The history of the Aubusson weaving workshop dates back to the 15th century, although it was during the 17th and 18th centuries that it reached the height of its prestige. Initially, its workshops specialized in so-called “vegetal tapestries,” decorated with exuberant botanical compositions. However, the reorganization spearheaded by Jean-Baptiste Colbert, minister to Louis XIV, transformed Aubusson into a royal manufactory and marked the beginning of a profound renewal.Since 2009, the artisanal tradition of Aubusson tapestry has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.