Roland slaapt 1746 - 1750

"Roland slaapt" was made at the Manufacture Royale des Gobelins as a tapestry. The scene depicts a moment of respite and vulnerability, perhaps inviting reflection on the consequences of conflict. The tapestry weaves together visual codes of power and vulnerability, its creation situated in the France of the 17th and 18th centuries. The Manufacture Royale des Gobelins, an institution under royal patronage, played a crucial role in defining French artistic identity. Tapestries like these weren't mere decorations; they were statements of cultural and political authority. This piece would have acted as a backdrop to courtly life. The tapestry's subject matter, inspired by classical and mythological tales, provided allegorical commentary on contemporary events. The imagery of slumber and awakening might have served as a self-conscious commentary on the court itself. The true meaning of art lies in the social and institutional contexts that produce it. Investigating primary sources from the period, such as royal inventories, helps us understand the tapestry's original placement and its relationship to the French court.