Panel 1630 - 1665

This panel was made by the Savonnerie Manufactory in France, though the exact date is unknown. Tapestries like this were a product of a very specific set of social and economic circumstances. In the 17th century, France's King Henry IV sought to establish luxury industries that would rival those of Italy. The Savonnerie manufactory was one such project, originally intended to employ orphans and poor children in the production of textiles. Over time, it evolved into a highly prestigious workshop, creating carpets and other furnishings for the royal family and other elites. This panel, with its pastoral scene, reflects the courtly tastes of the era, evoking a sense of cultivated nature. But it also speaks to the way in which art and industry were intertwined, with the state playing a central role in shaping artistic production. To truly understand this work, we need to look at the archives of the Savonnerie, as well as the economic history of France.