Description
17th-century Brussels tapestry panel (after 1669), woven in the workshops of Henri II° Reydams (active 1669-1719) (H. RYDAEMS), "Tenture of Holofernes". Technical characteristics : Wool and silk. Dimensions : Height : 342cm ; Width : 421cm. Belonging to the suite of hangings having as subject the story of the life of Judith. Here we present the panel whose register shows King Holofernes banqueting for Judith, and in the background the liberation of Achior, leader of the sons of Ammon. The rich border, made up of lateral columns, with putti, bouquets of flowers, and in the upper part numerous fruits and flowers in garlands with in the middle a cartouche in Latin: "ACHIDROUX A MON TARU ENAR ISAES POTENTIAM IUSSU HOLOFERNIS CAPTIUS". Historical context of the panel: According to the biblical account Holofernes was a general sent on campaign by Nebuchadnezzar, portrayed in the Old Testament book of Judith as King of Assyria, when in fact he was probably the Chaldean king who ruled Babylon from 605 to 562 BC. Nebuchadnezzar II sent Holofernes to punish the western peoples because they refused to support him in the war he waged against the Persian king Arphaxad (cf. Book of Judith I, 1). After plundering, killing and devastation throughout the Near East, Holofernes laid siege to Bethulia, a Jewish town (probably Massalah) that blocked a passage through the Judean mountains. With water running out, the inhabitants are on the point of surrendering, but a young widow, Judith, of extraordinary beauty and considerable wealth, decides to save the town. With her maid and jugs of wine, she enters the camp of Holofernes, who is immediately bewitched by the beauty and intelligence of this woman. He organizes a grand banquet in her honor, at the end of which his servants retire discreetly so as not to disturb the night of love which, they think, awaits their master. But she continues to intoxicate him and, when he is unable to defend himself, she beheads him with the help of her maid and returns to Bethulia with his head. When the soldiers discover their murdered leader in the morning, they panic. and the Jews easily defeat those who remain. (Minor wear and maintenance restorations) This piece was exhibited at the National Gallery of Armenia in 2013.
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17th-century Brussels tapestry panel (after 1669), woven in the workshops of Henri II° Reydams (active 1669-1719) (H. RYDAEMS), "Tenture of Holofernes". Technical characteristics : Wool and silk. Dimensions : Height : 342cm ; Width : 421cm. Belonging to the suite of hangings having as subject the story of the life of Judith. Here we present the panel whose register shows King Holofernes banqueting for Judith, and in the background the liberation of Achior, leader of the sons of Ammon. The rich border, made up of lateral columns, with putti, bouquets of flowers, and in the upper part numerous fruits and flowers in garlands with in the middle a cartouche in Latin: "ACHIDROUX A MON TARU ENAR ISAES POTENTIAM IUSSU HOLOFERNIS CAPTIUS". Historical context of the panel: According to the biblical account Holofernes was a general sent on campaign by Nebuchadnezzar, portrayed in the Old Testament book of Judith as King of Assyria, when in fact he was probably the Chaldean king who ruled Babylon from 605 to 562 BC. Nebuchadnezzar II sent Holofernes to punish the western peoples because they refused to support him in the war he waged against the Persian king Arphaxad (cf. Book of Judith I, 1). After plundering, killing and devastation throughout the Near East, Holofernes laid siege to Bethulia, a Jewish town (probably Massalah) that blocked a passage through the Judean mountains. With water running out, the inhabitants are on the point of surrendering, but a young widow, Judith, of extraordinary beauty and considerable wealth, decides to save the town. With her maid and jugs of wine, she enters the camp of Holofernes, who is immediately bewitched by the beauty and intelligence of this woman. He organizes a grand banquet in her honor, at the end of which his servants retire discreetly so as not to disturb the night of love which, they think, awaits their master. But she continues to intoxicate him and, when he is unable to defend himself, she beheads him with the help of her maid and returns to Bethulia with his head. When the soldiers discover their murdered leader in the morning, they panic. and the Jews easily defeat those who remain. (Minor wear and maintenance restorations) This piece was exhibited at the National Gallery of Armenia in 2013.
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