Boucher Tapestry - In Pursuit of The Idyll

The Tapestries of François Boucher are as revered today as they were during the Renaissance. This remarkable French tapestry artist and painter began his career engraving the works of Antoine Watteau. The son of a lace designer and Parisian painter he won the ‘Grand Prix de Rome’9, a scholarship created during the reign of Louis XIV, which enabled him to spend four years studying at the Academy of France in Rome. This was a time when Boucher was free to indulge his infatuation with the sensuality and frivolity of Rococo painting. Many of Boucher’s most famous Tapestries reflect his love for the Rococo style. In 1765, he returned home to Paris and was commissioned by the mistress of Louis XV, Madame de Pompadour and became a painter of the Kings court. Boucher loved to focus on women and mythological themes, his paintings and Tapestries being considered quite erotic for those times. Although Boucher is certainly considered one of the greatest and most influential Tapestry artists in history, especially with regards to figure Tapestry, his academic training enabled him to master many styles and techniques.

From 1755 until 1770, Boucher was art director of the ‘Manufacture Des Gobelins’ in the French capital, Paris; a Tapestry manufacturer, famous for producing Tapestries for the French Kings, including Louis XV. Today ‘Gobelins’ is run by the French Ministry Of Culture, and continues to produce contemporary Tapestry art for many of the country’s government institutions. During his time as Director, Boucher was responsible for the production of some incredible Tapestry works. However, many of Gobelin’s most revered Tapestries were created by Boucher and another Artist, Maurice Jacques. Together, they produced a famous series of wool and silk Tapestries, over four metres high, and almost four metres wide. Serenade Rouge is just one Tapestry of a set of four, which adorned the chambers of the Duchess of Bourbon. The Tapestries were sold during the Revolution, however, they did survive.

Tapestries like ‘Serenade Rouge’, with decorative surrounds, first appeared during the eighteenth century. But it was Boucher and Jacques who brought this Tapestry style to its peak of popularity. Most Tapestries before this period depicted historical events, religion and mythology. During the eighteenth century, people sought Tapestries with less sombre subjects, and were looking for a more light-hearted and decorative styling. This Tapestry series is feminine and elegant; their style was unique in that these Tapestries sought to imitate a variety of decorative techniques. But these Tapestries also reflect heavily on Trompe l’Oeil, a technique which had been used by many artists for centuries, a style which seeks to depict all things realistically and in a three dimensional light. Combining various styles, along with a vivid use of colours, makes these Tapestries a quintessential example of 18th Century Tapestry Art. Therefore, considered by many to be THE most accomplished and remarkable set of Tapestries ever produced at the Gobelin factory, during that period.

Boucher Tapestries were admired for their romance and idyllic depiction. All his Tapestry works, even landscapes, also achieved that same three dimensional qualities, so beautifully emphasised in the ‘Serenade Rouge’ Tapestry. A master of composition, and an excellent draftsman, his Tapestries have a unique depth, a style of which Boucher was a master. Such skill will always be admired, and this is why his Tapestries remain popular today. A Boucher Tapestry is no longer reserved for the Boudoirs of the Aristocracy, now we can all enjoy his fabulous creations in our own homes. Tapestries make wonderful gifts too, here to be enjoyed both now and in the future, just as they have always been in the past. Tapestries like Boucher’s are the Heirlooms to come, and there are few who would not admire and cherish these Tapestries for the incredible works of art they are. If you love the Rococo style, you will love the Boucher Tapestries. Such sensitivity and skill is hard to come by today, but luckily, we can indulge ourselves with these classic Tapestry reproductions which are readily available to us. Also knowing we’ve passed on something of value, something which should be preserved. Tapestries have always been admired, and we, as human beings will always be in pursuit of the idyll.

What better way to give both to someone you cherish than with a Boucher Tapestry?

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