Editions d’Art de Rambouille tapestry

Each of the tapestries depicts the rural labours of peasants such as fruit-picking and the activities associated with wool-working. Two coats of arms are included. One for Thomas Bohier who was married to Catherine Briconet, and it’s possible the original tapestry was commissioned to celebrate their marriage. In the top right is a divided shield, with Thomas’ crest to the left, and Catherine’s father’s crest to the right. The people depicted, harvesting fruit from an apple tree, are wearing clothes in the Renaissance style, fashionable at the time, inspired by the Italian styles that predominated the court of Charles VIII, who had recently conquered the Kingdom of Naples. The original tapestry was acquired in 1950 by Le Louvre, Paris & hangs there to this day. Editions d'Art de Rambouillet were producing this style of tapestry in France in the 1970's, early 1980's, when Georges Boitard was managing the company, and are known to have included this image in their range.