Allegory of Fire (Venus Visiting Vulcan) 1758 - 1771

Jacques Germain Soufflot designed this tapestry cartoon, or modello, of "Allegory of Fire (Venus Visiting Vulcan)." Made in France, this large-scale work speaks to the social and cultural values of the 18th century. The tapestry weaves together classical mythology and the decorative arts, reflecting the tastes of the French aristocracy. The scene depicts Venus, the goddess of love, visiting Vulcan, the god of fire and metalworking. The tapestry's creation would have been a complex, collaborative effort involving artists, weavers, and patrons. Tapestries like these were commissioned for grand interiors, communicating the patron's wealth, status, and cultural sophistication. Its display in a formal room would have reinforced social hierarchies and power dynamics. To better understand this piece, one might research the French court, the tapestry industry, and the influence of classical mythology on the arts. Examining the archives of the Beauvais factory, where the tapestry was woven, would further illuminate the social and institutional context that gave rise to this artwork.