Getty Museum

Portiere of the Chariot of Triumph

Date

1699–1703 or 1715–1717

Medium

Wool and silk

Culture

French

Department

Decorative Arts

Institution

Getty Museum

Intended to hang over a doorway, this type of tapestry was known as a portiere (derived from the French word *porte* for “door”). Portieres with coats of arms were displayed in the public rooms of royal residences and embassies to signify the power of the monarch, in this case Louis XIV. This design, called the Chariot of Triumph, represents military victory over an enemy, symbolized by the trophies of war and a chariot crushing a snake underneath. In addition to visualizing the martial prowess of the king, the portiere’s imagery emphasizes the benefits of successful military conquest, such as justice (indicated by the scale under the crown) and prosperity (indicated by the two cornucopias overflowing with fruit).

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