Set of Ovid's Metamorphoses

Description

Each tapestry illustrates a scene from Metamorphoses, written by the ancient Roman poet Ovid. The poem is comprised of fifteen books and contains more than 250 myths. These tapestries were produced in Paris by the royal Gobelins Manufactory during the 1700s. Gobelins was founded in 1662 for the purpose of furnishing French royal homes with the highest quality textiles. Gold and silver thread and silk were woven together to create luxurious tapestries like these.

Provenance

Mrs. Matthias Plum (Bertha Andrews Rainey Plum) [1909-1976], New York, NY, gifted to the Cleveland Museum of Art (?–1956); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1956–)

Set of Ovid's Metamorphoses

Gobelins Manufactory

1704–31

Accession Number

1956.325

Medium

tapestry weave

Dimensions

Average: 327.7 x 322.6 cm (129 x 127 in.)

Classification

Tapestry

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Mrs. Matthias Plum