Friday, 15 April 2011

Aubusson tapestry, gouache painting




An original  19th century gouache painting on paper, pattern for an Aubusson  tapestry.


Aubusson, formerly called Aubucon, is a small town (commune) in the Creuse Department of the Limousin region of France. It has existed since the Gallo-Roman period.
Aubusson is well  known for its fine tapestries and carpets which  have been famous since the 14th century when weavers from Flanders took refuge there in c1580.  Their workshops  were given "Royal Appointment" in the 17th century,  but during the French Revolution and because of the introduction of wallpaper their fortunes took a downwards  turn. In the 1930s there was a revival of interest in the tapestries when the artists Picasso, Dufy, Braque, Cocteau, Dali and others  were invited to Aubusson, and they became enthusiastic in expressing themselves through the medium of wool.
Aubusson tapestry thrives to this day.

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