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Allegory of Water (Neptune Rescuing Amymone)

designed 1758–67, woven 1764–71
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 514
George William, sixth earl of Coventry, commissioned this set of tapestries (58.75.2–.13) in Paris in 1763 for the tapestry room at his country seat, Croome Court (Worcestershire), which was then being remodeled by Robert Adam. The resulting ensemble was the first weaving of this design with a crimson background and it may have been the first made specifically to extend around all four walls of a room without architectural frames. The harmonious and decorative quality of the ensemble was enhanced by the provision of en suite furniture covers. The set, comprising twelve pieces of wall covering and thirty-three pieces of furniture upholstery, was delivered and in place by January 1771. This particular tapestry shows the element Water or Neptune rescuing Amnymone in the medallion based on a painting by François Boucher.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Allegory of Water (Neptune Rescuing Amymone)
  • Designer: General conception by Jacques Germain Soufflot (French, Irancy 1713–1780 Paris)
  • Designer: Pictorial medallions designed by François Boucher (French, Paris 1703–1770 Paris)
  • Designer: Alentours designed by Maurice Jacques (French, 1712–1784)
  • Maker: Low-warp workshop of Jacques Neilson (French, 1714–1788)
  • Manufactory: Manufacture Nationale des Gobelins (French, established 1662)
  • Patron: Commissioned for George William Coventry, 6th earl of Coventry (Croome Court, Worcestershire, England)
  • Date: designed 1758–67, woven 1764–71
  • Culture: French, Paris
  • Medium: Wool, silk (22-24 warps per inch, 9-10 per cm)
  • Dimensions: 10 × 17 ft. (304.8 × 518.2 cm)
  • Classification: Textiles-Tapestries
  • Credit Line: Gift of Samuel H. Kress Foundation, 1958
  • Object Number: 58.75.3
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Tapestry Room from Croome Court, Robert Adam British, Scottish, Plaster, pine, mahogany, bronze-gilt, marble, lapis lazuli, steel; wool and silk (22-24 warps per inch, 9-10 per centimeter), British, Worcestershire with French, Paris (Gobelins) tapestry
Tapestry Room from Croome Court
Multiple artists/makers
1763–71
Allegories of Air (Cephalus and Aurora) and Earth (Vertumnus and Pomona), Jacques Germain Soufflot French, Wool, silk (22-24 warps per inch, 9-10 per cm), French, Paris
Allegories of Air (Cephalus and Aurora) and Earth (Vertumnus and Pomona)
Multiple artists/makers
designed 1758–67, woven 1764–71
Hanging, Perrenod, Cotton, French, Melun
Hanging
Perrenod
ca. 1785–90
Drawing of Interior, Façade, and Rear of Church, Jacques Germain Soufflot French, Pen and ink
Drawing of Interior, Façade, and Rear of Church
Jacques Germain Soufflot
18th century
Vertical panels with garland, Jacques Germain Soufflot French, Wool, silk (22-24 warps per inch, 9–10 per cm.), French, Paris
Vertical panels with garland
Multiple artists/makers
designed 1758–67, woven 1764–71

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