Fine Louis XV Style Tapestry Portrait by the Braquenié Factory
£2,400
A fine exhibition quality Louis XV style tapestry portrait by the Braquenié factory, in the style of the Gobelins factory, depicting Anne-Louise Brillon de Jouy as the Muse of Science after Jean-Honoré Fragonard (1732-1808) [illustrated]. The sitter shown with dressed hair and wearing a brown velvet dress in 17th century style and impressive jewels, a piano beside her and reading a book of music (perhaps standing in for a scientific tome); signed Braquenié on the piano and signed by the weaver L. Jabin and dated 1887 ; contained within a well-carved Louis XV style frame
The Muse of Science was one of a series of portraits Fragonard painted in the late 1760s under the group title “Fantastic Figures”. The sitter, Anne-Louise Brillon de Jouy, was a musician and composer – she had a popular and well-attended salon at her home in Passy. The painting. is sometimes described as L’étude
Maison Braquenié
In 1858 the brothers Alexandre and Charles-Henri Braquenié acquired the Démy-Doineau fabric company that had existed since the 18th century. The Brothers then opened workshops in Aubusson and Malines and attracted a grand clientèle, becoming official suppliers to Napoleon III as well as the King of the Belgians and the German Emperor, and soon being the most famous tapestry, rug and fabric makers of the 19th century
In 1899 the company supplied fifteen tapestries in the style of Fragonard to a commission from Tsar Nicholas II.
Braquenié is still producing fine textiles to this day and is now part of Pierre Frey.
