[Sidenote:
_Wool._
H. 11 _ft._ 1 _in._
W. 21 _ft._ 3 _in._
]
THE THEFT OF THE TRUNK: _A group of gypsies surround a traveler's
carriage, and while some tell the lady's fortune and receive alms others
attempt to steal a trunk from the baggage-rack behind._
[Sidenote: Formerly in Collection of Count Polovzoff, Petrograd. Another
example in the Swedish Royal Collection. Illustrated: _Böttiger, Svenska
Statins Samling_, vol. 3, pl. LXVI.]
The tapestry is one of the series _Les Bohémiens_ by François Casanova,
and was woven in Beauvais when the factory was under the direction of
André Charlemagne Charron, whose initials it bears in signature. According
to the inventories, the series has been woven only twice--once in 1777 for
the king, and again in 1799.[33]
The vividness of the minor episodes and the vivacity of characterization
of even the lesser actors make this a most interesting tapestry. The
weaving is done with exquisite skill and the color is unusually fresh and
charming.
[Sidenote: Lent by _Jacques Seligmann & Company_.]
François Casanova (1730-1805) went to Italy in 1727 where he studied
under Guardi and Francesco Simonini. He returned to France and later
studied under Parocel. In 1763 he was received into the Academy and
exhibited in the salons until 1783.
[Sidenote: 67]