Lot Essay
The signature on the blue outer slip is an abbreviation for Manufacture Royale d'Aubusson.
The design of this subject relates to works by J.-N. Julliard (d. 1790), who in 1749 travelled to Italy. Upon his return in 1753 he was commissioned to design a tapestry series for the marchand-mercier Mathieu Dessarteaux. This commission determined Julliard's subsequent career and in 1755 he became painter to the Manufacture d'Aubusson. None of his designs for the Aubusson manufactory have as yet been categorically identified although it is known that he supplied designs until 1790. Indeed, there is only one painting entitled La Métairie au bord de la Rivière, painted in 1776, which can be related to an Aubusson tapestry. The Moulin de Charenton relates closely to this work. This subject is, however, traditionally also linked to the Amusements champêtres which are attributed to J.-B. Huet (d. 1811).
A tapestry of the same design is illustrated in D. and P. Chevalier and P.-F. Bertrand, Les Tapisseries d'Aubusson et de Felletin, Paris, 1988, p. 148, while a further version was sold anonymously at Ader, Tajan, Paris, 7 October 1992, lot 184.
The design of this subject relates to works by J.-N. Julliard (d. 1790), who in 1749 travelled to Italy. Upon his return in 1753 he was commissioned to design a tapestry series for the marchand-mercier Mathieu Dessarteaux. This commission determined Julliard's subsequent career and in 1755 he became painter to the Manufacture d'Aubusson. None of his designs for the Aubusson manufactory have as yet been categorically identified although it is known that he supplied designs until 1790. Indeed, there is only one painting entitled La Métairie au bord de la Rivière, painted in 1776, which can be related to an Aubusson tapestry. The Moulin de Charenton relates closely to this work. This subject is, however, traditionally also linked to the Amusements champêtres which are attributed to J.-B. Huet (d. 1811).
A tapestry of the same design is illustrated in D. and P. Chevalier and P.-F. Bertrand, Les Tapisseries d'Aubusson et de Felletin, Paris, 1988, p. 148, while a further version was sold anonymously at Ader, Tajan, Paris, 7 October 1992, lot 184.