Lot Essay
The painting depicting the Conversion of Saul by Jean-Pierre Franque was exhibited in the Salon of 1819. On November of that year, baron des Rotours, the administrator at Gobelins from 1818-1833, was given permission by the comte de Pradel to reproduce the subject in tapestry form. The tapestry, completed in 1824, was displayed at an exhibition of tapestries from the Manufactures au Louvre from 26 December 1824 - 25 January 1925. Charles X was so taken by this tapestry and a few others on display that he gave a gift of 300 ff to be devided amongst the most distinguished weavers. After the exhibition closed, the tapestry was moved to the salon bleu which was located near the cabinet du roi.
At the end of February 1825, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, baron de Damas, had to choose the tapestries that would be offered as gifts by Charles X in honor of his coronation. The Conversion of Saul was a natural choice and was given by the King to the marquis d'Orisla, Ambassador of Portugal.
The painting is located at the musée de la ville de Dijon. Another copy of the painting (a roundel) was commissioned by the comte de Pradel in 1817 for the sacristy of the eglise du Val-de-Grace in Paris. For a complete discussion, see M. Fenaille (op.cit).
At the end of February 1825, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, baron de Damas, had to choose the tapestries that would be offered as gifts by Charles X in honor of his coronation. The Conversion of Saul was a natural choice and was given by the King to the marquis d'Orisla, Ambassador of Portugal.
The painting is located at the musée de la ville de Dijon. Another copy of the painting (a roundel) was commissioned by the comte de Pradel in 1817 for the sacristy of the eglise du Val-de-Grace in Paris. For a complete discussion, see M. Fenaille (op.cit).