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Lot Essay
The design of this tapestry and the associated sets depicting both Northern Country Amusements and their 'Indian' counter parts (distinguished solely by the fauna), is inspired by the figural compositions of Antoine Watteau and largely follows engravings by Nicolas Lancret (d. 1745).
Charles Vigne (d. 1751) joined Jean II Barraband in his private tapestry workshop that he had established in Berlin and succeeded him on his death in 1725. Despite being the only German workshop that supplied clients in other countries, it met with severe financial troubles and Vigne repeatedly had to plea with Fredrick the Great to purchase tapestries. Undeterred Charles Vigne's son, who had the same name, took over the atelier but the situation continued to deteriorate and was irrevocably effected by the Seven-Year War that ended in 1763. He finally had to close the workshop in 1787.
A further example from this series is illustrated in H. Göbel, Wandeppiche, Die germanischen und slawischen Länder, Leipzig, 1934, part III, vol. II, figs. 63B and 65.
Charles Vigne (d. 1751) joined Jean II Barraband in his private tapestry workshop that he had established in Berlin and succeeded him on his death in 1725. Despite being the only German workshop that supplied clients in other countries, it met with severe financial troubles and Vigne repeatedly had to plea with Fredrick the Great to purchase tapestries. Undeterred Charles Vigne's son, who had the same name, took over the atelier but the situation continued to deteriorate and was irrevocably effected by the Seven-Year War that ended in 1763. He finally had to close the workshop in 1787.
A further example from this series is illustrated in H. Göbel, Wandeppiche, Die germanischen und slawischen Länder, Leipzig, 1934, part III, vol. II, figs. 63B and 65.