[Sidenote:
_Wool._
H. 13 _ft._
W. 16 _ft._ 9 _in._
]
THE NIOBIDES: _Apollo and Artemis from a cloud shoot down the children
of Niobe, thus avenging their mother, who had been outraged by Niobe's
boasting that she had the more children. Border of fruit garlands and
figures in camaieux._
[Sidenote: Formerly in Marnier-Lapostalle Collection, Paris.]
[Sidenote: Reproduced:
_Guiffrey, Les Gobelins et Beauvais_, p. 15; _Hauser y Menet, Los Tapices
de la Corona de España_, vol. 2, pl. 132.]
The tapestry is one of the Artemis series designed for Marie de Medici
by Toussaint du Breuil. It was woven on the looms which were under the
direction of Marc Comans and François de la Planche, and which later
became the Gobelins state manufactory. The cartoons were repeated many
times with different borders. Judging by the border, this piece was woven
about 1611.
The piece is a splendid example of the dramatic and monumental character
of the productions of the pre-Gobelins looms.
The sensitive feeling for decorative fitness and the reserve that are
evident in French designs from the Gothic period on differentiate such
a cartoon as this from the contemporary Flemish productions, usually so
violent and exaggerated in scale, in drawing, and in emotional expression.
For, though dramatic, the scene is restrained and the figures have an
almost sculptural detachment. This quality is sustained by the fine
architectural border, which is very typical of the Paris looms of this
period.
[Sidenote: Lent by _Jacques Seligmann & Company_.]
Toussaint du Breuil (1561-1602) painted decorations in the Pavilions
des Poêles at Fontainebleau, and also in the Galerie des Rois in the
Louvre. Most of his work has perished.
[Sidenote: 39, 40]