World-Famous Tapestries of France

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 986, 31 May 1930, Page 25

World-Famous Tapestries of France

One Yard of Beautiful Fabric Woven in a Year THE art of the skilled craftsman is dying out before the ever-increasing’ ascendancy of machinery. But even nowadays, in the centre of a great city, one can enter the long light ateliers where the beautiful Gobelin tapestries and carpets are woven. There one can learn a lesson in patience.

The Gobelin industry was started In the seventeenth century by Louis

XIV. —“Le Roi Soleil.” Since then these world-renowned tapestries and carpets have taken their place in history with the fine old chateaux and palaces which they adorned so fittingly, and where they still grace | the barren salons with their ancient charm. So expressive are the figures they represent, so perfectly shaded, with infinite cunning, by fingers that hundreds of years ago plied the coloured threads with such inspiration, that one can almost see the woven faces frown, as parties of tourists tramp through the halls where the Kings and Emperors of France held sway in regal magnificence. Once, when the palace of Fontainbleau was being renovated, a valuable Gobelin tapestry was stolen. The thieves, a French and an Italian workman, facilitated the difficult business

of disposing of their booty, and selling it, by cutting it Into twelve pieces. In the course of time the thieves were captured; and, after a search throughout the world, which took years to complete, the twelve fragments were recovered. The mutilated masterpiece was returned to the Gobelin factoryin Paris and repaired, a labour of many months, and now it is back in its original setting at Fontainbleau. A LIVE ART Unlike so many crafts, this particular art has not deteriorated. The works of great artists are reproduced as well today as they were centuries ago. Perhaps the final interpetation of the whole work is a little simpler, but the subtlest tint of living flesh, and the most delicate shadow of dimpled cheek, or eager eye, is produced with the same faithful attention to the finest detail.

In the long workrooms, the big wooden frames are set up opposite the windows. The picture which 13 being reproduced is placed behind the loom, and the craftsman has to refer to it continually, in order to get the colours precisely the same. Only the outline of the design is traced on to the thick cream threads of the loom. Accuracy of tint is in the hands of each individual xvorker. Every employee in the factory is an artist. It is only- after an extensive training in the School of Decorative Art that he is qualified to become an apprentice in the Gobelin ateliers. There he does two y-ears’ study before he is allowed to work on Gobelin. Behind the threads of the loom one sees the faint silhouettes of the weavers. Sometimes as many as three or four are employed on the same big tapestry. DEFT FINGERS The deft fingers flick in and out of the threads with an incredible speed. But in spite of their amazing rapidity, it takes one workman a year to complete a square yard of tapestry. In front of the loom little mirrors are arranged, so that the craftsman can see exactly how his work is progressing. Sometimes, after weeks of patient labour, the result is not considered sufficiently perfect, and has to be cut away and recommenced. At present most of the looms are being used for the production of tableaux depicting scenes in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. These exotic

pictures of Northern Africa are being j woven for the French Colonial Exhibition, which is to take place in Paris j in 1931; but if they can be completed in time, they will be sent to Algiers by the French Government j this year to celebrate the centenary of the conquest of Algiers by France. The carpets are manufactured in much the same way as the tapestries, except that the work is done from in front of the loom istead of from behind it, and the materials used are naturally not so fine. Attached to the factory is the j Museum, where examples, old and ' new, of this world-famous art, are displayed in great dimly-lighted rooms, where the sun cannot fade the exquisite chefs d’oeuvres. The Gobelin manufacture is not an individual acquisition. It is a national industry which has survived the fall of kingdoms and empires, and which will be bound up with the history of France for as long as art and beautyhave any standing in an age of turmoil and commerce. CELERY SOUP All celery dishes are good for rheumatism, and this is a particularly appetising soup. Take one head of celery, one tablespoonful semolina, two ounces margarine or dripping, four pints hot water, one pint milk. Wash the celery and cut the sticks into one-inch pieces. Toss the pieces in the bottom of the pan in the melted fat, but do not brown them. Add water and boil for one liour. Then add the semolina and boil for another 30 minutes. Remove from fire and let it cool for five minutes, I then add the milk and seasoning. 1 Bring to the boll again and serve.