17th century Brussels tapestry (after 1669),... - Lot 37 - FEE - Stanislas Machoïr

Lot 37
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Estimation :
25000 - 40000 EUR
17th century Brussels tapestry (after 1669),... - Lot 37 - FEE - Stanislas Machoïr
17th century Brussels tapestry (after 1669), woven in the workshops of the Merchant weaver Henri II° Reydams (active from 1669 to 1719) (H. RYDAEMS), "Tenture of Holofernes". Technical characteristics : Silk and wool. Remarkable freshness of colors. Beautiful polychromy. Very good state of conservation. Remarkable finesse Dimensions : Height : 342cm ; Width : 421cm Belonging tò the suite of hangings having for subject the story of the life of Judith. Here we present the panel which has as its register the banquet of King Holofernes for Judith, and in the background the liberation of Achior chief of the sons of Ammon. The rich border, made up of lateral columns, with putti, bouquets of flowers, and in the upper part numerous fruits and flowers in garlands with in the middle a cartouche in Latin: " ACHIDROUX A MON TARU ENAR ISAES POTENTIAM IUSSU HOLOFERNIS CAPTIUS ". Historical context of the panel : According to the biblical account Holofernes was a general sent on a campaign by Nebuchadnezzar, who is presented in the Old Testament book of Judith as king of Assyria, when in fact he was probably the king of the Chaldeans who ruled Babylon from 605 to 562 BC. Nebuchadnezzar II sent Holofernes to punish the western peoples because they refused to support him in his war against the Persian king Arphaxad (see Book of Judith I, 1). After having plundered, killed and ravaged throughout the Near East, Holofernes laid siege to Bethulia, a Jewish city (probably Massalah) that blocked a passage through the Judean mountains. As the water runs out, the inhabitants are about to surrender, but a young widow, Judith, of extraordinary beauty and considerable wealth, decides to save the town. With her maid and jugs of wine she enters the camp of Holofernes; he is immediately bewitched by the beauty and intelligence of this woman; he organizes a great banquet in her honor, at the end of which his servants withdraw discreetly so as not to disturb the night of love that they think awaits their master. But she continues to intoxicate him, and when he is unable to defend himself, she beheads him with the help of her maid and returns to Bethulia with his head. When the soldiers discover their murdered leader in the morning, they are panic-stricken: some flee and the Jews easily defeat those who remain. This piece was exhibited at the National Gallery of Armenia in 2013.
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