Collection: Grotesques Collection

from French grotesque "relating to or being a style of art with unusual designs and combinations of figures of animals, humans, and plants.

Ah, the tapestry series we have before us—how splendidly evocative of an era rich in artistic innovation and whimsy! This particular series, originating from the imaginative mind of Jean Bérain I (1637-1711), has rightfully earned its place in the annals of decorative art under the charming moniker, "Grotesques on a Yellow Ground," or more simply, the "Bérain Grotesques." The first of these splendid creations emerged in 1688, skillfully woven from the designs of Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer, an artist best known for his exquisite still-life and floral compositions.

The Grotesques series was nothing short of a roaring success, my dear reader, captivating audiences and patrons alike with its intricate designs and playful motifs. So popular was this series that it continued to be woven, with various delightful iterations, all the way through to 1732. In fact, over 150 surviving pieces of varying finesse still exist today, categorized intriguingly as 'fine' and 'ordinary' grotesques in the records of the time.

Drawing inspiration from the classical grotteschi of the illustrious Raphael, Bérain's adaptation is a celebration of fantastical architecture—delicate, airy structures perched upon slender columns of lapis-lazuli. These enchanting scenes are populated with a veritable menagerie of exotic creatures and lively figures: animal tamers, an elephant, a camel, musicians, dancers, and even acrobats—each one more captivating than the last. Not to mention the offerings to the deities Pan and Bacchus, which add a touch of the divine to this already rich tapestry.

One of the most fascinating aspects of these tapestries is their versatility. The elements—these delightful figures, animals, and architectural marvels—could be arranged in myriad combinations, tailored with various borders, to suit the specific tastes, spaces, and, of course, budgets of the patrons. Whether grand or modest, each tapestry became a unique work of art, a customized ornamentation that could enchant any viewer with its classical elegance and playful charm.