Portiere with the Arms of France and Navarre 1685 - 1699

This tapestry was produced at the Manufacture Nationale des Gobelins in France, though its exact date is unknown. The tapestry is a grand display of heraldry, bearing the arms of France and Navarre, symbols deeply intertwined with the French monarchy. Made during the reign of Louis XIV, the tapestry exemplifies the Sun King’s program of royal aggrandizement. The Gobelins manufactory was essentially a royal workshop, producing luxury goods that glorified the king and his reign. Notice how the image creates meaning through visual codes. The fleur-de-lis, the crown, and the scales of justice are all symbols of royal power and authority. The tapestry itself would have been displayed in a royal residence or government building, reinforcing the monarchy's image of power and prestige. Understanding the tapestry requires delving into the history of the Gobelins manufactory and the broader social and political context of Louis XIV’s France. Historians consult inventories, royal records, and other primary sources to uncover the tapestry's original location and function, shedding light on the public role of art and the politics of imagery in the age of absolutism.