Aubusson tapestry, second half of the XVIIth century... Lot 77

Aubusson tapestry, second half of the XVIIth century : " The Marriage of Psyche and Love ", woven in wool and silk, part of a hanging of the History of Psyche. After Isaac Moillon (1614 -1673) (some accidents, the tapestry presents a central shaving, some wear, in particular in the brown tones and in the silks and old restorations which changed color) - Height. 310 cm. Long. 450 cm - Expert : Nicole de Pazzis-Chevalier - 07 71 03 62 85 - ndepazzis@orange.fr Iconography : After many vicissitudes Psyche and Love obtained from Jupiter the permission to unite. On this tapestry, their union is celebrated in a clearing, in the presence of the Olympian gods arranged in a frieze. To the right of the couple formed by Love and Psyche, stand: the Hymen crowned with flowers holding a lighted torch, Jupiter who hands a cup to Psyche who turns towards her future winged husband. On the right of Jupiter, we can recognize Venus and her dove, Juno and the peacock and a hint of Apollo, which is better seen on other versions. The Museum of Tapestry in Aubusson has a version of this scene, from a later weaving (18th century) Bibliographical References :2005 - Nicole de Reyniès - p.266 and 267 in Isaac Moillon, un peintre du Roi à Aubusson - Catalogue of the exhibition held in Aubusson from 11.06. to 12.09.2005.It is not in Ovid's Metamorphoses that we find the Story of Psyche but in Apuleius's Metamorphoses or the Golden Donkey (Lucius Apuleus - IInd century A.D.) Book IV - 28-29.