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–)
Accession Number
1956.325
Medium
tapestry weave
Dimensions
Average: 327.7 x 322.6 cm (129 x 127 in.)
Classification
Tapestry
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Matthias Plum