Art Institute of Chicago

Caesar Embarks by Boat to Join His Army from The Story of Caesar and Cleopatra

After a design by Justus van Egmont (1601–1674)

Date

c. 1680

Medium

Wool and silk, slit and double interlocking tapestry weave Warp: Count: 10 warps per cm; wool: S-ply of three Z-spun elements; diameters: 0.5–0.7 mm Weft: Count: varies from 20 to 48 wefts per cm: wool: S-ply of two Z-spun elements; diameters: 0.3–0.8 mm; silk: pairs and three yarns of S-ply of two Z-twisted elements; paired yarns of S-ply of two Z-twisted elements and single Z-twisted element; diameters: 0.4–0.85 mm

Culture

Brussels

Department

Textiles

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

These hangings display all the characteristics of the Flemish High Baroque: monumental figures, dramatic gestures, expressive faces, and minimal backgrounds. The story of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar was a popular subject for tapestry by the time these works were woven in the 17th century. This hanging shows a moment during the Egyptian Civil war. Following a failed attempt upon their l ives, Caeser and Cleopatra find themselves besieged by opposing Egyptian armies. Here noatman strain to convey a laurel-crowned Caesar to join his army. The water birds in the sky and the reeds at right convey the setting of the Nile.

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