After a design by Justus van Egmont (1601–1674)
Woven at the workshop of Gerard Peemans (1637/39–1725)
Brussels
Caesar Embarks by Boat to Join His Army from The Story of Caesar and Cleopatra
INV-4967
After a design by Justus van Egmont (1601–1674)
Woven at the workshop of Gerard Peemans (1637/39–1725)
Brusselsc. 1680
Caesar Embarks by Boat to Join His Army from The Story of Caesar and Cleopatra
After a design by Justus van Egmont (1601–1674) Woven at the workshop of Gerard Peemans (1637/39–1725) Brussels →weaving - tapestrytextile
Date
c. 1680
Medium
Wool and silk, slit and double interlocking tapestry weave
Warp: Count: 10 warps per cm; wool: S-ply of three Z-spun elements; diameters: 0.5–0.7 mm
Weft: Count: varies from 20 to 48 wefts per cm: wool: S-ply of two Z-spun elements; diameters: 0.3–0.8 mm; silk: pairs and three yarns of S-ply of two Z-twisted elements; paired yarns of S-ply of two Z-twisted elements and single Z-twisted element; diameters: 0.4–0.85 mm
Dimensions
381.7 × 366.3 cm (150 1/4 × 144 1/8 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Chauncey McCormick and Mrs. Richard Ely Danielson
These hangings display all the characteristics of the Flemish High Baroque: monumental figures, dramatic gestures, expressive faces, and minimal backgrounds. The story of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar was a popular subject for tapestry by the time these works were woven in the 17th century. This hanging shows a moment during the Egyptian Civil war. Following a failed attempt upon their l ives, Caeser and Cleopatra find themselves besieged by opposing Egyptian armies. Here noatman strain to convey a laurel-crowned Caesar to join his army. The water birds in the sky and the reeds at right convey the setting of the Nile.
Also notable
Works in the same vein
Caesar Defeats the Troops of Pompey from The Story Caesar and Cleopatra
After a design by Justus van Egmont (1601–1674) Woven at the workshop of Gerard Peemans (1637/39–1725) Brussels
Caesar's Death Makes Cleopatra Mourn from The Story of Caesar and Cleopatra
After a design by Justus van Egmont (1601–1674) Woven at the workshop of Gerard Peemans (1637/39–1725) Brussels
Caesar and Cleopatra Enjoying Themselves from The Story of Caesar and Cleopatra
After a design by Justus van Egmont (1601–1674) Woven at the workshop of Gerard Peemans (1637/39–1725) Brussels
