This tapestry is one of a set of fourteen tapestries depicting the History of the King Louis X1V of France who was king from 1643 until his death in 1715. His reign was a distinguished one and this series of tapestries was commissioned to commemorate the most important episodes during this period.

The tapestries were woven at the Gobelins Manufactory in Paris, a Royal Atelier, and are regarded as that workshops finest mid-seventeenth century set. Designed by Charles le Brun, the Director of the Gobelins from 1662 to 1690, the tapestries were commenced in 1665 and depicted the major events, and detailed with great accuracy the elaborate court ceremonials, the rich costumes of the period, dramatic elements in national functions and the appearance of notable figures.

The inscription at the bottom of the tapestry translates as follows:- Defeat of the Spanish army near the Bruges Canal by the troops of King Louis X1V under the direction of Marsin, in the year 1667. The tapestry is currently at the Salon de Mercure in the Museum of Versailles in France.
Silk screened tapestries are also known as serigraphic tapestries. Each silk-screened tapestry is serigraphed onto irregularly woven fabric (wool, cotton or linen). Considerable labour is required with this process, including hand-painting to finish the details. Silk screen tapestries appear antiqued and aged giving them the look and feel of tapestries that hang in museums today.

Features

• Tapestry Type     Silk Screen
• Made in                France
• Sizes             127 x 180 cm,   178 x 261 cm