The Legend of Romulus and Remus: Romulus Brings the Head of Amulius...
Artist: Frans Geubels (Flemish, after 1520-before 1585)
Date: about 1575-1585
Dimensions:
138 x 175 in. (350 x 454 cm)
Medium: Wool, silk and gold tapestry
Place of Origin: Brussels
Classification: Textiles and Fiber
Credit Line: Purchased with funds from the Florence Scott Libbey Bequest in Memory of her Father, Maurice A. Scott
Object number: 1954.1
Label Text:Tapestries were the most expensive household objects during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. This example comes from a series of eight (two in Toledo, six in Vienna) depicting Rome’s founding by the twins Romulus and Remus. The scene shows Romulus presenting the head of King Amulius to Numitor, who is seated beneath a canopy. Numitor was the grandfather of Romulus and Remus and the brother of Amulius, who had savagely overthrown him. Romulus slays the usurper and restores Rome to Numitor, the rightful king.
The tapestry was made in the shop of Frans Geubels in Brussels. Brussels dominated 16th-century tapestry production through the quality of its designs, workshop organization, and its weavers’ technique. Most spectacular in this tapestry is the amount of costly gold and silver thread, rarely used in such profusion, but perhaps explained by its original owner: Archduke Matthias (1557–1619) of the powerful Hapsburg dynasty, who later became Holy Roman Emperor.
The Latin inscription at top translates: “Amulius fell [died] having been pierced by Romulus’ sword when [where] the strength of the citadel had been weakened.”
The tapestry was made in the shop of Frans Geubels in Brussels. Brussels dominated 16th-century tapestry production through the quality of its designs, workshop organization, and its weavers’ technique. Most spectacular in this tapestry is the amount of costly gold and silver thread, rarely used in such profusion, but perhaps explained by its original owner: Archduke Matthias (1557–1619) of the powerful Hapsburg dynasty, who later became Holy Roman Emperor.
The Latin inscription at top translates: “Amulius fell [died] having been pierced by Romulus’ sword when [where] the strength of the citadel had been weakened.”
Not on view
In Collection(s)