Manufacture Royale De Beauvais Tapestry In Wool And Silk - 17th Century

Beauvais tapestry representing the story of Cephalus and Procris based on Ovid's metamorphoses.
The scene takes place in a wooded landscape, Cephalus kneeling preparing to throw his magic javelin at Procris below, all framed in a rich border decorated with shells, leathers and cartridges in the style of Berain frames. Wool and silk from the royal factory of Beauvais.
Louis XIV period
.Dimensions: 293 x 308 cm.
History: Our tapestry comes from the four-piece tapestry of the story of Céphale and Procris, which Jules Badin's inventory highlights in the state of the tapestries in store in Beauvais on October 15, 1732: "A tapestry of Céphale and Procris , in four pieces, 15 3/8 yards by 2 yards high for 6,000 pounds. The cardboard of our tapestry is after Florentin Damoiselet (1644-1690), ordinary painter to the King who worked notably for the castle of Versailles and Marly under the direction of Lebrun. The story of Cephalus, Thessalian prince, son of Deion and Diomede, who married Procris, one of the daughters of Erechtheus, king of Athens. This one was of remarkable beauty. He inspired a strong passion in Eos; this, to detach him from Procris, urged him to test the fidelity of his wife. To this end, he introduced himself near her, hidden under a disguise: having succeeded in seduce her, he chased her from his presence. Procris, ashamed, fled to Crete where Artemis gave him a dog and a magic javelin. Later Procris returned home in the guise of a seductive young girl who offered the love of Cephalus in exchange for gifts from the goddess. Cephalus accepted and Procris was then recognized. The two spouses therefore reconciled. Jealousy, however, gripped the heart of Procris who thought that her husband was joining Eos on his hunting trips. One night, she followed him in secret. She accidentally moved a branch. Thinking that game was hiding behind the foliage, Cephalus threw his javelin and pierced the body of his dear Procris; in despair at this death, he killed himself with the same javelin. According to another version, the Areopagus banished him for this murder. He retired to the island which took the name of Cephalonia from him and haunted by the ghost of his beloved ended up throwing himself into the sea Related work: -
Collection of national furniture: the death of Procris or cephale mourns the death of Procris under inventory number: GMTT-1287-004.
(see illustrations)
Bibliography: - The Beauvais Tapestry factory from its origins to the present day by Jules Badin pages 23 and 20.