[Sidenote:
_Wool and Silk._
H. 11 _ft._ 9 _in._
W. 14 _ft._ 6 _in._
]
THE ARMS OF FRANCE AND NAVARRE: _Two angels on clouds support the coat of
arms before an ermine drape against a ground of fleur-de-lis on blue._
The angels are after Boucher, the only coat of arms in tapestry known to
which Boucher has contributed. It is evidently one of several fleur-de-lis
pieces listed in the accounts of Beauvais between 1735 and 1740 and may be
the one made for the Parliament of Rouen in the latter year.[34]
It is an unusually rich and interesting armorial, the angels with their
characteristic Boucher grace adding great beauty to the formal setting.
[Sidenote: Lent by _P. W. French & Company_.]
François Boucher (1703-1770) studied with Lemoyne and during that
time painted scenery for the Opera, a work to which he returned in
the height of his career (1737-44). In 1734 he became Academician.
In 1735 he was appointed head of the Gobelins by Marigny. In 1765
he was made first painter to the king and Director of the Academy.
In the years between 1740 and 1755 he painted many cartoons for the
Beauvais tapestry works. Among his most famous tapestry suites are
the _Loves of the Gods_, the _Chinese Hangings_, and the _Italian
Fêtes_.
[Sidenote: 68]