Carpet Recently Finished at the Manufacture Imperiale des Gobelins, Paris c. 19th century

Editor: This is a reproduction of a carpet, titled "Carpet Recently Finished at the Manufacture Imperiale des Gobelins, Paris" by Louis Alphonse Gerard. It seems incredibly ornate. How would its design have been received in its time? Curator: Gobelins tapestries were powerful symbols of French artistic and political dominance. The intricate designs, classical imagery, and association with the French monarchy served as visual propaganda. How does this awareness shape your view? Editor: Knowing its political undertones, it feels less decorative and more like a statement of power. Thank you, I hadn't considered its public role. Curator: Exactly. And seeing it this way, we can further examine the power dynamics at play in decorative arts.