La Recolte des Ananas II

This gorgeous tapestry shows a scene from the "Harvest of Pineapples" or "La Recolte des Ananas" from a design from 17th century France. The harvesting of pineapples is a tapestry scene from a set of ten tapestries called "The History of the Chinese Emperor" commissioned by Louis Alexandre de Bourbon, son of King Louis XIV, to the Beauvais Manufacture in France. At the end of the 17th century, the Jesuite missionaries went to Asia and returned with tales of exotic cultures and adventures. From here, the fascination and love affair between French culture and Oriental culture began, and French art reflected this fascination in their paintings and tapestries. In this tapestry, "La Recolte des Ananas II", we see a detail from the work showing a field of pineapple plants flowering and fruiting in the tropical climate, accompanied by tall palms bearing fruit themselves. A Chinese style temple building is seen in the midground with the typical Oriental architectural details. In the distance, clouds are gathering and providing an indicator of impending tropical rain, and the color of the distant trees beautifully echo the color of the clouds. A gorgeous border of coats of arms and flowers surrounds this beautiful work which transports us in time and space. This French Oriental tapestry "La Recolte des Ananas II" is backed with lining and a tunnel for ease of hanging.