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Lot Essay
HISTORY OF THE SUBJECT
This popular subject, depicting the pastoral life and the joys of youth combined with the ages of man, was first designed in the first quarter of the 16th century and later evolved into the successful series depicting 'The Story of Gombaut et Macée'. The earliest documented mention is in an inventory of Florimond Robertet, a dignitary under Charles VIII and Franois I, in 1534. The subject continued, however, to be woven throughout the 17th century in various workshops in Flanders and France.
SUBJECT
This story illustrates rural life through the ages of man, focusing on the carefree life in the countryside and the awakening of sexuality, which leads to marriage, then old age and death. Shepherds had the reputation of living in isolation and of seeking to console themselves with literature and light songs. The aristocracy, for whom these tapestries were intended, could thus associate unbridled sexuality with the poor and with a life close to nature, as opposed to their own attitude, characterized by self-control and ruled by etiquette. Robechon, a shepherd, and his friend Gontier play pranks on Gombaut, another shepherd.
This popular subject, depicting the pastoral life and the joys of youth combined with the ages of man, was first designed in the first quarter of the 16th century and later evolved into the successful series depicting 'The Story of Gombaut et Macée'. The earliest documented mention is in an inventory of Florimond Robertet, a dignitary under Charles VIII and Franois I, in 1534. The subject continued, however, to be woven throughout the 17th century in various workshops in Flanders and France.
SUBJECT
This story illustrates rural life through the ages of man, focusing on the carefree life in the countryside and the awakening of sexuality, which leads to marriage, then old age and death. Shepherds had the reputation of living in isolation and of seeking to console themselves with literature and light songs. The aristocracy, for whom these tapestries were intended, could thus associate unbridled sexuality with the poor and with a life close to nature, as opposed to their own attitude, characterized by self-control and ruled by etiquette. Robechon, a shepherd, and his friend Gontier play pranks on Gombaut, another shepherd.