Tapestry panel from Oudenaarde (Flanders), early 16th centur - Lot 11

Tapestry panel from Oudenaarde (Flanders), early 16th century. Technical characteristics : Wool and silk. "Arcadian shepherds": three young people, dressed as Arcadian patres, and holding houlettes, converse with a seated noble patriarch, in cuirass and toga. Sheep are watering at the fountain, and three shepherdesses watch from afar, staff in hand. The scene is set in a wooded, verdant landscape from which emerges what appears to be a castle. Arcadia was considered a mythical country, a land of shepherds where people lived happily in love, and which many poets had sung about. The border features a succession of richly flowered vases interspersed with saintly figures and epicureans. Beautiful Renaissance ensemble. Dimensions: 260 x 200 cm. Shading. Small corner restoration in the border. Remarkably fresh colors, well preserved. Expert : Frank Kassapian