CIRCA 1820-1824, WORKSHOP OF FRANCOIS CLAUDE (1817-1823) AND LAFOREST (1817-1827), AFTER A PAINTING BY JEAN-PIERRE FRANQUE

The painting on which this tapestry is based, depicting the Conversion of Saul by Jean-Pierre Franque, was first exhibited in the Salon of 1819. In 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 painting was originally destined for the city of Dijon but it was agreed to hold it back in Paris for the weaving of the tapestry, which unexpectedly took much longer than originally envisaged, much to the chagrin of Dijon. The tapestry, started on 2 January 1820 and only completed on 14 December 1824, interestingly originally had borders that were woven separately by François Claude and Pierre Duruy between 22 January 1820 and 15 October 1824 with interruptions, but which are today lost. The finished work was displayed at an exhibition of tapestries from the Manufactures au Louvre from 26 December 1824 until 25 January 1825 where Charles X was so taken by it and a few others on display that he gave a gift of 300 ff to be divided amongst the most distinguished weavers, including Ruhiers and Charles Rançon who worked on The Conversion of Saul as ouvriers de premier mérite. 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, chose this tapestry to be offered as a gift by Charles X in honor of his coronation to the marquis d'Orisla, Ambassador of Portugal.
The painting is today 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 église du Val-de-Grace in Paris.