Ariane

Provenance: Atelier de la Marche (Aubusson)

Based on a work by the painter Claude Vignon (1593-1670), this tapestry is part of a series illustrating the Story of Ariane from the novel “Ariane” by Jean Desmaret de Saint-Sorlin (1595- 1676). The story, set during the time of Emperor Nero, tells the adventures of a young Sicilian, Ariane, accompanied by her brother Palamède, her lover Mélinte and her servant Epicharis. Here, Mélinte bows to the heroine Ariane as she hands him the reins of the horse she is offering him.

Vignon’s drawing was engraved by Abraham Bosse (1604-1676). It was this engraving which allowed the weavers’ workshop to create this work.

Collection Cité Internationale de la Tapisserie, Aubusson