Carpet 1655 - 1670

This carpet was woven at the Savonnerie manufactory in France sometime in the 17th or 18th century. With its elaborate floral patterns and dark, rich colors, it was likely commissioned for a member of the French aristocracy. The Savonnerie manufactory was established in the early 17th century under royal patronage, so artworks of this type are inextricably linked to the court of Louis XIV and the consolidation of power in the monarchy. These carpets, with their intricate designs and high-quality materials, served as symbols of wealth, status, and royal power. For the social historian, understanding such an artwork requires us to ask: what was the relationship between artistic production and the exercise of power in this period? How did institutions like the Savonnerie shape the creation and consumption of art? Investigating such questions through archival research and close visual analysis can reveal the complex social and political dynamics embedded within the artwork.