Looking for a French tapestry?
Well, then have a look at this range of French tapestries here.
A French tapestry can enhance your room or home in some very unique ways.
There are a few reasons.
Let’s have a look at these, and then discover the 5 groups of French tapestries…
1. Sense of romance
First is that you’re going to bring a sense of romance to your home when you hang a tapestry in the French theme.
French styled tapestries are romantic and simply beautiful.
It is their tradition to look this way. as an aesthetic quality.
2. Sense of history and royalty
Second is that you have a piece that is a part of history and royalty.
an elegance and beauty that comes from a long tradition of tapestries from one of the most prolific and beautiful producers of tapestries in history, the Gobelins Manufacture of tapestries in the 16-17th century.
The tapestries based on these works are based on the ones that originally were hung in the palaces of royalty.
This factory was under the direction of Louis XIV’s official first painter Charles Le Brun, and after, Francois Boucher, under Louis XV. Their works are wonderful in their detail and artistry in gorgeous French style.
King Louis XIV was unique as a king, in that he wanted to show off the excellence of French art to not only his people, but to the rest of the world.
For this reason, Louis XIV was considered one of the first kings who lived among such beauty and luxury, and admired greatly for this.
And as a result, the style of art emerged in France evolved from the medieval era to that of the “Louis XIV style”, that is still emulated today in homes and offices seeing this classic “French elegance”.
He was a king who influenced art because he had so much interest in it.
Using French art brings the much loved and unique French style that is considered timeless, to our rooms, homes or home offices.
3. Sense of elegance
Others will notice and comment on the lovely elegance that European tapestries bring.
When you hang a beautiful tapestry in your home, and a French tapestry full of beauty is certainly that, you and your friends will notice and you will get comments.
It makes the place you spend time in special, when you are there in with your friends and loved ones. So if you want to infuse romance and beauty into your room and to enjoy and share this superb beauty with friends, then use a French tapestry.
When a room is transformed with art, we feel relaxed, inspired and centered.
So what are the five main groups of French tapestries to choose from?
Here are the French tapestry categories:
1. Francois Boucher French Tapestries
Firstly you have the works of Francois Boucher.
When it comes to French tapestries and wall hangings, the works of Francois Boucher (1703-1770), an artist in the Rococo style. He was known for his depictions of life in the world of the nobles in their daily lives but also in mythological scenes.
He became Premier Peintre du Roi (First Painter of the King in 1765. One of his most famous patroness was Madame de Pompadour during the reign of Louis XV.
See all Francois Boucher tapestries here
He was head of the Gobelins, the largest tapestry production house in France.
When you think of French art, the first words associated with it is romanticism.
Boucher was one of the first artists in French history to pull the subject matter of art away from art depicting the King, and the Virgin Mary, and other serious and epic topics of the bible, to that of everyday life, and even that of fantasies and events.
In other words, he brings the every day events to art.
And he shows these every day subjects in a way that is based on royalty and showed in a romantic style.
The reign which religion has had on art had begun to loosen. And Boucher was one of the French artists which begin portraying the everyday lives of nobility for all to see.
See the Francois Boucher tapestries here.
2. Gobelins Tapestries
Then you have the works of the works produced by the Gobelin tapestries from the Gobelins Manufacture, now produced as reproductions of the originals.
In the 17th century, the Manufacture came under the artistic supervision of Charles Le Brun (1619-1690), who became First Painter of the King under Louis XIV, before the time of Boucher.
Some examples of their incredible work are Versailles Promenade and Enfants Jardiniers and Chateau Bellevue Royal Residences.
See the Enfants Jardiniers tapestry here
These are superb works and shows the art that is of romantic and mythological influence.
The factory initially produced furniture then subsequently turned it’s attention solely to tapestries.
His subject matter was initially that of mainly King Charles XIV, though he did start portraying life as royalty, as this was closely related to the subject matter of glorifying the king.
King Charles XIV was so interested in art that he wanted French art to be admired not only in France, but throughout the world.
Should be perhaps thank the Sun King, King Louis XIV for the evolution of Baroque art to Classicism and romanticism?
It was the beginnings of the change from medieval art to French art, which Le Brun started with Louis XIV, and which Boucher took over during the reign of King Louis XV.
This was a very beautiful era of French art indeed.
3. Beauvais Tapestries
Then you have the works of the other major tapestry centre in France, the Manufactuer de Beauvais.
The Gobelins was the biggest and employed more people, but the Beauvais was its rival.
An example of their work is Grand Harbor I and Grand Harbor II, and Oriental Harbor. As you can see these works are simply gorgeous.
Spring harvest tapestry
Much of these works reveal astonishingly, the next chapter and evolution of French art, the fascination with exoticism.
That’s right, France was obsessed in their culture and art with exotic items, culture and style due to explorers returning from voyages telling tales of Oriental life.
See La Recolte des Ananas II tapestry here
The French were quick to absorb the stories and the beauty of Asian influences into their artwork.
Some pieces, such as Harvest of the Pineapples or Oriental Harbor shows Asian and Oriental influences.
See Oriental Harbour tapestry here
Think of how Monet was fascinated by Japanese art as an example from centuries later of the continued love affair between French culture and Oriental culture, a fascinating link between contrasting cultures which many are not aware of.
4. Impressionistic French art
These are the impressionistic French tapestry which shows the style and unique effect of Monet’s work to please the eye and the imagination.
These are the luscious scenes of Claude Monet and his paintings of lake Giverny with its trees and gardens.
Nature is a theme that was prominent in impressionism and the French impressionists have transformed the rendition of gardens, nature and lakes into something new and different, pleasing the eye in a way never before seen.
Such works include Monet Lake Giverny I Tapestry and Monet Lake Giverny II tapestry.
It is the way the textures of the foliage contrasting with glasslike reflections of water which was part of the fascination which is created by impressionism.
At the same time, music composed began to explore the sounds of water and nature in an impressionistic way.
5. Contemporary French Tapestries
As a more contemporary French style tapestry, we have the contemporary French tapestry art.
Then there are the more modern French tapestry art which reflects life in Provence or the countryside in France where villas and towns provide a beautiful way of life in the countryside.
Simple in composition, yet stunning in execution, these scenes transport the viewer away to the French countryside in an instant.
Afternoon In Provence tapestry
So to get a beautiful French tapestry in your home, then:
- Choose a room to decorate.
- Measure out the dimensions of the space you want to decorate.
- Choose a French tapestry, whether it’s based on the works of Francois Boucher, the works of the Gobelins factory under Charles Le Brun, the works from the Beauvais factory, or impressionistic and modern French art.
- Choose a tapestry rod or finials and tassels to match.
- Install the tapestry which is easy to do. All the instructions are in the packaging of the tapestry rod.
- Enjoy your new tapestry and get comments from friends and family on how the room looks now.
See Ornamental Floral tapestry here
So have a look and which style of French tapestry you prefer.
Some love the more historical and royalty based French works, of palaces and castles, others love the more impressionistic and modern French art tapestries.
See entire range of French tapestries here
Either way, you will be transported in place and time.
Take your pick and have your room become even more beautiful to share those special experiences with your friends and loved ones.
So have a look at this all our French tapestries here to add French style to your decor.
Enjoy your wonderful French home decor!