Cabbage Leaf Tapestry - Canvas Print - Robert Four - Aubusson

ROBERT FOUR - AUBUSSON
TAPESTRY printed in wool and linen decorated with aristolochia leaves and animals, replica from a 15th century document.
Titled "Verdure royale" and numbered 187 on the bolduc. Around 1900.

So-called Aristoloche tapestry from the Ateliers de la Marche – Early 16th century period.

These tapestries are known as cabbage leaves or aristolochia leaves although the name cabbage leaf is inaccurate as they are rather acanthus leaves. This Mediterranean plant has inspired many decorations, and it is this which gives an esoteric effect to the tapestry. Nature is wild, dreamlike, even inhospitable. Jacqueline Boccara still speaks of a “magic forest”. The viewer is invited to enter an unknown, lush and mysterious world.

The tapestry of broad-leaved greenery introduced a look that was not only three-dimensional but also naturalistic. This aspect is reinforced by the introduction of birds and mythological animals, very rarely human figures.
The predominant vision is that of an untamed nature that man has not yet disturbed. An image that is both fascinating but also dreamlike and undoubtedly emblematic of the Garden of Eden.

The Green Tapestry was very popular in the 16th century. The greenery was woven in numerous workshops in Flanders such as the town of Oudenaarde in Belgium and Aubusson in France.

Robert Four Manufacture

Today, the Robert Four Manufacture stands out as the flagship of Aubusson know-how and offers its clients – artists and sponsors (architects, gallery owners, museums, etc.) – a unique opportunity in France to access one and the same place. locating all the crucial steps in creating a woven work of art.
When its founder Robert Four took over the Simone André workshop in 1952, he quickly raised it to the rank of a full-fledged factory, with its own dyeing workshop, its creation workshop, its weaving and hand knotting workshops ( hand-knotted). (the so-called Savonneries), and restoration workshop. Later, he added techniques such as hand-tufting to the range of know-how offered by the Manufacture. This technique gives the rugs exceptional quality and is inspired by Savonnerie rugs.
In 1957, Robert Four opened a gallery in the Paris region of Saint-Germain-des-Prés where the Manufacture's products were exhibited as well as period carpets and tapestries. The Robert Four Gallery is well known to professionals and individuals and was also an essential place for tourists passing through Paris.
Today, Robert's son, Pierre-Olivier, who took over the Manufacture from his father in 1996, perpetuates the family commitment and remains attentive to the trends of the new artistic scene. He contributes to the revival of this precious and rare art of tapestry and carpets, and thus ensures its place in the history of modern art and decorative arts.

Dimensions: 154x137 cm
Condition: Very good condition. A wooden bar is slipped into the lining at the back of the tapestry  for hanging.