Art Institute of Chicago

The Diversion of the Euphrates from The Story of Cyrus

Adapted from designs by Michiel Coxie (1499–1592)

Date

c. 1670

Medium

Wool and silk, slit and single interlocking tapestry weave Warp: Count: 8 warps per cm; wool: S-ply of three Z-spun elements; diameters: 0.6–1.0 mm Weft: Count: varies from 19 to 44 wefts per cm; wool: S-ply of two Z-spun elements; diameters: 0.3–1.5 mm; silk: pairs of S-ply of two Z-twisted elements; diameters: 0.15–0.5 mm

Culture

Brussels

Department

Textiles

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

The Latin inscriptions in the center of the upper border of this and the neighboring tapestry make clear that they illustrate the story of Cyrus the Great, ruler of the Medes and the Persians. Here he oversees the laborious work of diverting the Euphrates River, a tactic that would permit his troops to approach the city of Babylon and conquer it. These tapestries were woven from cartoons that adapted designs by the 16th-century court artist Michiel Coxie. Their rich borders, filled with garlands and putti as well as military trophies, are in a later Baroque style, while the poses of the ruler and his advisors take on a somewhat stereotypical aspect.

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