Paul before Agrippa from a set of Scenes from the Life of Saint Paul
Original title: Paul before Agrippa from a set of Scenes from the Life of Saint Paul
kurzbeschreibung
Unlike the other hangings in the Paul cycle, this tapestry gives center stage to the apostle's speech before the Roman governor Agrippa. Woven around 1600 in wool and silk, the image goes back to a design by Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio). The piece measures 355.6 by 264.2 cm and hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Description
A group of men is absorbed in conversation: on the left one holds a scroll and speaks in explanation, while a listener kneels before him. Other figures sit farther back and take part in the discussion. A richly ornamented border with floral and decorative motifs frames the picture field. Color stays monochrome, with various grays carrying the forms, and even light emphasizes the contours.
Context
The tapestry was made around 1600 in a Brussels workshop; the source was cartoons by Raphael, which he created around 1515 for the Sistine Chapel. Within the famous Renaissance Paul series, repeated several times, this panel holds a secure place. Tapestries were regarded as prestige art at the time and were often executed after designs by leading masters.
Impact
The restrained gray scale gives the tapestry a noble quiet that draws the eye to figures and gestures. Carefully worked garments and a calm layout produce a dignified, almost monumental mood suited to the biblical event.
Technique
The piece is woven from wool and silk in a dense binding of 14–15 warps per inch (6–7 per cm). This fineness allows precise reproduction of figures and ornaments. The silk content lends a slight sheen that enlivens the monochrome effect.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)