Autumnal Falconry Scene in a Verdant Landscape
Textile, woven tapestry • Flemish School, likely an Oudenaarde or Grammont workshop
Style & Movement
Late Renaissance / early Baroque Flemish Mannerism
Medium & Technique
Hand-woven wool and silk using a high-warp (haute-lisse) or low-warp (basse-lisse) weaving technique. Predominantly dyed with woad or indigo for blues and yellows for greens.
Creation Period
Late 16th to early 17th Century (c. 1580-1620)
Dimensions & Format
Large-scale vertical format; approximately 250 x 200 cm (8 x 6.5 feet), depending on border presence.
Subject Description
A 'Verdure' tapestry depicting a noble hunting party in a lush, wooded landscape. In the foreground, figures in period dress are engaged in falconry; a seated woman and a standing man gesture toward a falconer perched in a tree. The background features a distant walled city and rolling hills, characterized by dense foliage and botanical undergrowth.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. Significant color fading (oxidation) of the yellow and red dyes, leaving a blue-toned 'grysaillle' appearance. Visible horizontal tension lines.
Estimated Market Value
$8,000 - $15,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$5,000 - $10,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely originated from a private European noble estate. Current presentation against a brick wall suggests a private residential or historic house setting.
Art Historical Significance
Flemish tapestries of this period were the primary prestige objects of European courts. This piece is a typical example of the 'Verdure' style, which transition from Medieval mille-fleurs to more naturalistic Renaissance landscapes, reflecting the aristocratic obsession with the hunt.
Notable Features
Distinguished by the 'Game of Falconry' subject matter which is highly collectible; notable for the preservation of its blue indigo tones and the intricate rendering of botanical elements in the foreground.
Condition Issues
Fading of light-sensitive dyes (especially yellows and reds), resulting in a blue/green color cast. Moderate brittleness in silk highlights, some thinning of the weft threads exposing the warp, and minor structural repairs likely present.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning by a textile conservator to remove acidic dust; lining with a cotton backing to support weight; UV-filtered lighting; and display in a climate-controlled environment with stable humidity.