AUBUSSON Very important Aubusson tapestry,... - Lot 15 - FEE - Stanislas Machoïr

Lot 15
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Estimation :
12000 - 18000 EUR
AUBUSSON Very important Aubusson tapestry,... - Lot 15 - FEE - Stanislas Machoïr
AUBUSSON Very important Aubusson tapestry, early 18th century. The triumph of Judith Based on the biblical story of the illustrious women and inspired by the painting of Luca GIORDANO (1703). In wool and silk. Border with garlands of flowers and foliage surrounded by fruit. Good condition. Beautiful freshness of colors, some restorations of maintenance. Ht. 275cm - Wt. 490cm The book of Judith: a fragile woman saves Israel. The Book of Judith tells the story of the adventures of Judith, a courageous woman. """"Ninive"""" king sends his general Holofernes to wage war against Israel. Presented as a bloodthirsty tyrant with invincible strength, the general lays siege to the small town of Bethulia. The inhabitants are desperate, so Judith decides to go to the enemy's camp by night to seduce Holofernes. When he is completely drunk, Judith takes the opportunity to murder him and returns to Bethulia with the general's head. Seeing their leader dead in a shameful manner, the enemies give up their attack and return home. For refusing to support the war against the Persians, the king of Assyria, Nebuchadnezzar, who had just defeated the Medes, sent the general Holofernes on a punitive expedition against the peoples to the west. Holofernes quickly subdued the region but the city of Bethulia blocked his progress. Achior, the warlord of the Ammonites, informs the general that if Israel behaves blamelessly, no army will be able to defeat him, for their god will protect him. This speech irritates Holofernes, and he drives Achior out and delivers him to the inhabitants of Bethulia, who welcome him. Holofernes laid siege to the city of Bethulia Encouraged by Eliachim, the high priest of the city, the inhabitants hold out but Holofernes knows that the city has limited water supplies and that sooner or later he will receive his surrender. After twenty days, the water in the cisterns begins to run out and tensions arise between the supporters of the negotiations and the supporters of the fierce resistance who are waiting for divine help. So Judith, widow of the rich Simeon, decides to save her city herself. She explains her strategy to the authorities, who try to dissuade her. When the day comes, dressed in the sumptuous clothes she has never worn since the death of her husband, she leaves the city accompanied by her maid who carries a few jugs of strong wine and pure food. The two women arrive at the entrance to the camp and, no doubt, Judith's beauty enables her to have an interview with the general himself. She makes him believe that she is ready to betray her people and deliver the city to him. The general offers her to stay in the shelter of his camp, but she makes a habit of leaving it to go and pray outside. During her stay in the enemy camp, Judith tricks her way out of eating unclean food. Bewitched by the charm and intelligence of the young woman, Holofernes offers her a sumptuous meal. During the banquet, she seduces the general and makes him drink a large quantity of wine. All the guests leave the couple alone and go to bed. While Holofernes is in a drunken sleep, Judith murders him and beheads him. Back in the city, Judith advises the leaders to hang the general's head on the ramparts. When the Assyrians learn of the shameful death of their leader and see his head hanging on the walls, they panic and flee, pursued by the Bethulian warriors.
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