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Lot Essay
Inspired by the epic poem Jerusalem Delivered by Torquato Tasso (d. 1595) which was first published in 1581, Aubusson wove several sets of six tapestries illustrating The Story of Godefroy de Bouillon in the 17th century but also early 18th century. The scenes were copied from engravings by Antonio Tempesta (d. 1630), Michel Lasne (d. 1667) and François Chauveau (d. 1676) and illustrated the heroism of Godefroy de Bouillon and his Christian army during the first crusade in his fight against the Muslims when taking Jerusalem. This scene shows the wounded Godefroy withdrawn from the battle, which turned the fates against the Christian armies. The composition is a literal representation of Tasso's original text (Canto XI, lines 68 - 74).
A complete set from this series of tapestries was recorded in the inventory of Charles Gaspard Dodun, Marquis d'Herbault and commandeur and grand trésorier of the Royal Order as well as lieutenant général de l'Orléanais and controleur des finances, at château d'Herbault, in 1736. A further set of six tapestries, which was probably originally owned by the Montréal Vivarais family and which was acquired by the commune of Vallon in 1846, remains at Vallon Pont d'Arc, Ardèche.
(D. and P. Chevalier, P.-F. Bertrand, Les tapisseries d'Aubusson et de Felletin, Lausanne, 1988, p. 50)
A complete set from this series of tapestries was recorded in the inventory of Charles Gaspard Dodun, Marquis d'Herbault and commandeur and grand trésorier of the Royal Order as well as lieutenant général de l'Orléanais and controleur des finances, at château d'Herbault, in 1736. A further set of six tapestries, which was probably originally owned by the Montréal Vivarais family and which was acquired by the commune of Vallon in 1846, remains at Vallon Pont d'Arc, Ardèche.
(D. and P. Chevalier, P.-F. Bertrand, Les tapisseries d'Aubusson et de Felletin, Lausanne, 1988, p. 50)