A Set of Four Italian Mythological Tapestries from the Loves of the Gods Series

Naples, Circa 1761-1767, woven under the direction of Pietro Duranti, after designs by Fedele Fischetti

woven in wool and silk, depicting respectively ‘The Abduction of Europa’, ‘The Abduction of Proserpine’, ‘Jupiter and Ganymede’ and ‘Venus and Vulcan’, each in an octagonal simulated carved giltwood picture frame surround, on a rose-colored font with floral garlands above and a military trophy with the arms of the Prince della Riccia below, within a laurel-wreath surround, the corners woven with shell-clasp.
The Abduction of Europa 13 feet 7 inches x 6 feet;
The Abduction of Proserpine: 13 feet 4 inches x 6 feet;
Jupiter and Ganymede: 13 feet 5 inches x 5 feet 9 1/2 inches;
Venus and the Vulcan :13 feet 3 1/2 inches x 5 feet 8 inches.

Property from a Private Family Trust

This lot is located in Chicago.

Provenance:

Delivered to Bartolomeo di Capua Sanseverino, Conde de Altavilla, Duque de Airola and Prince della Riccia (1716-1792) in 1744

(The Abduction of Proserpine and Venus and Vulcan) sold at Christie’s, Paris, December 7 2001, Lot 663

The four panels re-united by a collector

Note:

These four striking panels with scenes depicting ‘The Loves of the Gods’ were conceived as part of a set of twelve tapestries, comprising four wide panels, six more narrow panels (including these four), and two entre-fenêtre panels, all intended for the state bedroom of the prince’s palace in Capua. The cartoons for these tapestries were designed by Fedele Fischetti (1732-1792), who worked for the Italian nobility and the Church.

They were woven in Naples at the Royal Tapestry Manufactory of Pietro Duranti (d. 1788), which had been founded in 1737 by Charles VII, the future Charles III of Spain, who reigned in Naples from 1734 to 1759. Most of the tapestries supplied by the manufactory to royal houses are known, though very little is recorded about the private commissions that formed a significant part of the workshop's production. This very rare set of tapestries from the Royal Tapestry Manufactory at Naples belongs to those works that were still unknown until fairly recently (see D. Heinz, Europäische Tapisseriekunst des 17. und 18. Jahrhunderts, Vienna, 1995, pp. 298–303).

A Set of Four Italian Mythological Tapestries from the Loves of the Gods Series

**A Set of Four Italian Mythological Tapestries from the Loves of the Gods Series**