Gobelins
Quick Summary
The Gobelins family were French dyers and clothmakers whose factory became renowned for its tapestries. Jehan Gobelin, active in Paris, discovered a scarlet dyestuff. While the family's dyeing activities ceased by the late 16th century, their factory was eventually purchased by King Louis XIV in 1662 and dedicated to upholstery. It reopened for tapestry production in 1697 and has continued to operate, with carpets also being produced since 1826.1
The Gobelins factory was officially established as the Manufacture Royale des Meubles de la Couronne in 1667. Initially, it encompassed various artisans creating furnishings for royal residences. Under the direction of painter Charles Le Brun, it produced significant tapestry sets celebrating Louis XIV. The factory has survived historical upheavals, including the French Revolution, and continues its legacy of tapestry and carpet production.2
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- Charles Le Brun
…was appointed director of the Gobelins, which, from being a small tapestry manufacture, expanded into a sort of universal factory supplying all the royal houses. From the 1660s, commissions for decoration of the royal palaces, notably Versailles, were given automatically to Le Brun and his assistants, and in 1663 the…
Read More…was appointed director of the Gobelins, which, from being a small tapestry manufacture, expanded into a sort of universal factory supplying all the royal houses. From the 1660s, commissions for decoration of the royal palaces, notably Versailles, were given automatically to Le Brun and his assistants, and in 1663 the…
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interior designFrance… was appointed director of the Gobelins factory, which had been bought by the King, and Le Brun himself prepared designs for various objects, from the painted ceilings of the Galerie des Glaces (Hall of Mirrors) at Versailles to the metal hardware for a door lock. (It should be noted that…
Read More… was appointed director of the Gobelins factory, which had been bought by the King, and Le Brun himself prepared designs for various objects, from the painted ceilings of the Galerie des Glaces (Hall of Mirrors) at Versailles to the metal hardware for a door lock. (It should be noted that…
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Louis XIV styleAt the Gobelins factory, founded by Louis for the production of meubles de luxe and furnishings for the royal palaces and the public buildings, a national decorative arts style evolved that soon spread its influence into neighbouring countries. Furniture, for example, was veneered with tortoise shell or…
Read MoreAt the Gobelins factory, founded by Louis for the production of meubles de luxe and furnishings for the royal palaces and the public buildings, a national decorative arts style evolved that soon spread its influence into neighbouring countries. Furniture, for example, was veneered with tortoise shell or…
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furnitureFranceThe Gobelins factory was founded by Louis XIV for the production of deluxe furniture and furnishings for the royal palaces and the national buildings. The painter Charles Le Brun was appointed the director in 1663. Furniture was veneered with tortoiseshell or foreign woods, inlaid with brass,…
Read MoreThe Gobelins factory was founded by Louis XIV for the production of deluxe furniture and furnishings for the royal palaces and the national buildings. The painter Charles Le Brun was appointed the director in 1663. Furniture was veneered with tortoiseshell or foreign woods, inlaid with brass,…
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tapestryTechniques…in Paris known as the Gobelins used 15 to 18 threads per inch (6 to 7 per centimetre) in the 17th century and 18 to 20 (7 to 8) in the 18th century. Another royal factory of the French monarchy at Beauvais had as many as 25 or even 40…
Read More…in Paris known as the Gobelins used 15 to 18 threads per inch (6 to 7 per centimetre) in the 17th century and 18 to 20 (7 to 8) in the 18th century. Another royal factory of the French monarchy at Beauvais had as many as 25 or even 40…
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tapestry17th and 18th centuries…the same way as the Gobelins. Beauvais, however, was a private enterprise with royal patronage intended to produce tapestries for the nobility and the rich bourgeoisie, while Gobelins’ work was only for the king.
Read More…the same way as the Gobelins. Beauvais, however, was a private enterprise with royal patronage intended to produce tapestries for the nobility and the rich bourgeoisie, while Gobelins’ work was only for the king.
Read More- Beauvais tapestry
…were made exclusively at the Gobelins factory. In the 19th century the quality began to deteriorate and production declined.
Read More…were made exclusively at the Gobelins factory. In the 19th century the quality began to deteriorate and production declined.
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Savonnerie carpet…same artists who designed the Gobelins tapestries. In 1826, the enterprises having been combined, the Savonnerie production was moved into the Gobelins workshops, near Paris.
Read More…same artists who designed the Gobelins tapestries. In 1826, the enterprises having been combined, the Savonnerie production was moved into the Gobelins workshops, near Paris.
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