A BRUSSELS MYTHOLOGICAL TAPESTRY SECOND HALF 16TH CENTURY

worked in silks and wool, depicting Pomona and probably Vertumnus, flanked by classical figures, beneath a panel of urns issuing fruits and cornucopia, with formal garden beyond, flanked by trees bearing fruits, animals and birds, framed by borders of scrolling acanthus and further mythological figures

332 x 380cm

Provenance

Christie's, Noble and Private Collections Part II, 27 April 2016, Lot 454 where sold as being sold as part of the Property from a Sicilian Villa.

Catalogue note

The design for this tapestry is based on a cartoon possibly by Jan Cornelisz Vermeyen (1500-1559) and commissioned by Charles V. The cartoons were for a series of nine tapestries, one set of which is in the Spanish Royal Collection. Other similar tapestries, probably woven by Jan Raes, are also found in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts having previously been in the Barberini Collection in Rome.

Another similar set were woven for Philip II by Willem de Pannemaker using cartoons probably by Pieter Cocke van Aelst.

From Canada to China, museums house some of the world's most valuable textiles. Some of these are regional in nature-specializing in works created locally or inspired by local traditions-while others have no borders when it comes to collecting. The American Museum & Gardens (near Bath, England) is home to a sizable collection of 250 American quilts and textiles while-back in the States-Shel

sweet scented flowers are the perfect setting for the sometimes less-than-innocent escapades of the gods and demi-gods, and many of them, notably the satyrs pursued her. So too did Vertumnus. However while the others were just lustful they gave up easily and went in search of easier prey but Vertumnus was different. He was truly enamoured so repeatedly changed his appearance and tried again and again to win her attention and affection.

Vertumnus in disguise as a farmer', A Flemish Mythological Tapestry, from The Story of Vertumnus and Pomona, Brussels, workshop of Jacob | Geubels and Jan I Raes, first quarter 17th century Sothebys

Often he managed to enter the orchard but always with the same result.

One day, however, he had a brainwave and changed his appearance to that of an old woman.

Once admitted to the orchard he told Pomona how beautiful she was and even offered some