Design for a Tapestry Seat of a Sofa

Charles Antoine Coypel French

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The painter Charles Antoine Coypel was also a noteworthy designer for the famous Gobelins tapestry manufactory in Paris. His most successful tapestry series illustrates the story of Don Quixote, based on the seventeenth-century novel by Miguel de Cervantes. Conceived in 1714, the series remained in production until 1794. This design for the seat of a sofa dates from 1721 and depicts Don Quixote’s mistress in a detail taken from a larger tapestry composition. According to the inscription, the design was conceived for "Madame la Regente," most likely referring to Françoise Marie de Bourbon, the spouse of Prince Regent Philippe d’Orléans. The sofa was probably part of a full set for a salon, but none of the other designs by Coypel survive.

Design for a Tapestry Seat of a Sofa, Charles Antoine Coypel (French, Paris 1694–1752 Paris), Gouache with oil. Silhouetted and laid down on mount with soft yellow wash surround within two black-ink border lines.

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Design for a Tapestry Seat of a Sofa, Charles Antoine Coypel (French, Paris 1694–1752 Paris), Gouache with oil. Silhouetted and laid down on mount with soft yellow wash surround within two black-ink border lines.
Design for a Tapestry Seat of a Sofa, Charles Antoine Coypel (French, Paris 1694–1752 Paris), Gouache with oil. Silhouetted and laid down on mount with soft yellow wash surround within two black-ink border lines.

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