The Offering to Pan from a set of the Berain Grotesques
Beneath a fanciful and elegant loggia, gamboling devotees of Pan, Greek god of fields and shepherds, garland his altar. This tapestry is from a set known as the Berain Grotesques, in reference to the pervasive stylistic influence of the artist Jean Berain (1640-1711), who may even have provided preliminary sketches. The Classical architecture, flora, fauna and figures against the blank ground was in emulation of the Roman wall-paintings excavated in the subterranean chambers of Nero's palace in Rome (erroneously called 'grotti', hence 'grotesques'.)
These Berain Grotesques tapestries’ light-hearted subject matter and whimsical design contrast with the heavier, ornate style that had characterized French tapestry during the preceding third quarter of the seventeenth century. The series enjoyed immense popularity during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, and the Beauvais workshop produced many weavings for international clients.
These Berain Grotesques tapestries’ light-hearted subject matter and whimsical design contrast with the heavier, ornate style that had characterized French tapestry during the preceding third quarter of the seventeenth century. The series enjoyed immense popularity during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, and the Beauvais workshop produced many weavings for international clients.
Artwork Details
- Title: The Offering to Pan from a set of the Berain Grotesques
- Designer: Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer (French, Lille 1636–1699 London)
- Maker: Workshop of Philippe Béhagle (French, 1641–1705) or his son, Philippe Béhagle the Younger
- Manufactory: Beauvais
- Artist: Related to a painting by Nicolas Poussin (French, Les Andelys 1594–1665 Rome) (The Triumph of Pan, National Gallery, London)
- Date: designed ca. 1685–89; woven late 17th–early 18th century
- Culture: French, Beauvais
- Medium: Wool, silk (21-22 warps per inch, 8-9 per cm.)
- Dimensions: 10 ft. 1 in. × 9 ft. 3 in. (307.3 × 281.9 cm)
- Classification: Textiles-Tapestries
- Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Guy Fairfax Cary, 1950
- Object Number: 50.205
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
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Multiple artists/makers
designed ca. 1688, woven ca. 1690–1711
Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer
Nicolas de Poilly
17th century
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1670–80
Multiple artists/makers
designed ca. 1688, woven ca. 1690–1711
Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer
Nicolas de Poilly
ca.1670–80
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