Rare "Départ de chasse" tapestry from the "tenture des chass - Lot 120

Rare "Départ de chasse" tapestry from the "tenture des chasses" after Wouverman and Carel van Falens, workshop of Roby (probably Léonard), Aubusson Royal Manufactory, circa 1766-1780, 18th century H. 2.65 m - L. 3.30 m Horsemen and horsewomen set off on a hunt, watched by figures and valets in front of a château This scene is one of the subjects inspired by Philips Wouverman (1619-1668), but is based on a drawing by Carel van Falens (1683-1733), a painter in the service of Philippe d'Orléans, admitted to the Académie royale de peinture in 1726. The scene was engraved by Jacques-Philippe Le Bas (1707 - 1783), enabling its distribution. A copy of this engraving is kept at the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Genève (N°inv. E 2016-1874), another at the Musée des Beaux Arts de Quimper ( 873-3-1304 ). Linked to a societal evolution, the mid-18th century saw a craze for this type of subject, and Roby, as an astute manufacturer, embarked on this decorative style. Other works in the same style include "Le Rendez-vous de chasse", "Le Chasseur fortuné", "La Prise du héron" and "La Chasse à l'italienne". This is probably one of the few hunting hangings woven in Aubusson. A tapestry of similar composition was in the collection of French & Co in New York, and another is in the Hugues Helffer collection, but with a few differences, such as the rider on the left and the beggar woman, who are not depicted on these tapestries. The Aguttes sale in Neuilly (lot 219) June 11, 2001 sold a larger version. P. Bertrand. Aubusson, tapisseries des Lumières. Splendors of the royal manufacture, supplier to Europe in the 18th century. Fig.335 p. 240.