Palace of Versailles Tapestry - 86 x 68 cm (2'10" x 2'3") - Requires Rod Size 2

This tapestry is one from a series depicting French Royal Palaces and representing the twelve months of the year. Over the centuries, the depiction of the theme of the months of the year has often been adopted in the productions of sets of Wallhangings. This view of the Palace of Versailles represents the month of April, and was designed by the artist Charles Le Brun. It was originally woven in the second half of the seventeenth century at the Royal Gobelins Manufactory in Paris, and is now at the Museum of Pau in southern France. The style of the design features the Royal Residence in the background of a landscape which is framed by a sumptuous architectural motif: a colonnaded portico garlanded with flowers. Below the chateau, a party of horsemen ride through the wooded countryside surrounding the palace. In the foreground on a balustrade are displayed a golden bowl full of fruits, together with various draperies, thus combining the elements of nature with symbols of a sophisticated civilization. The balustrade serves the purpose of creating a unique sense of perspective to the whole design. The vertical borders are richly adorned with fruits, flowers and ribbons, and feature the Arms of Louis XIV in their centre. This tapestry is fully lined incorporating a sleeve along the top for hanging with a Hines hanging rod. Alternatively, this tapestry can be hung with a wooden batten which is a concealed method of hanging.