Harvard Art Museums > 1954.128: Pastoral Scene with Nymphs and Shepherds Textile Arts Collections Search Exit Deep Zoom Mode Zoom Out Zoom In Reset Zoom Full Screen Add to Collection Order Image Copy Link Copy Citation Citation"Pastoral Scene with Nymphs and Shepherds (Woven by Pierre Mercier) , 1954.128,” Harvard Art Museums collections online, Apr 18, 2024, https://hvrd.art/o/215030. Reuse via IIIF Toggle Deep Zoom Mode Download This object does not yet have a description. Identification and Creation Object Number 1954.128 People Woven by Pierre Mercier, Flemish Title Pastoral Scene with Nymphs and Shepherds Other Titles Former Title: Apollo, the Muses and Pan in a Landscape Classification Textile Arts Work Type tapestry Date c. 1715 Places Creation Place: Europe, Germany, Dresden Culture German? Persistent Link https://hvrd.art/o/215030 Physical Descriptions Medium Textile fibers Dimensions 327.7 x 341.6 cm (129 x 134 1/2 in.) Provenance Recorded Ownership History Mrs. Cortlandt Parker, gift; to Fogg Art Museum, 1954 Acquisition and Rights Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Gift of Mrs. Cortlandt Parker Accession Year 1954 Object Number 1954.128 Division European and American Art Contact am_europeanamerican@harvard.edu Permissions The Harvard Art Museums encourage the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. To request a higher resolution file of this image, please submit an online request. Descriptions Description Mythological scene possibly showing Apollo, Muses and the shepherd, Pan in a landscape, signed "MERCIER A DRESDEN". This tapestry depicts a pastoral scene or an unidentified mythological subject in a wooded setting. In the center appears a draped figure holding a bouquet of flowers, possibly Flora. To the left, several scantily clad nymphs sit languorously. A young shepherd enters the scene at right. At left, another shepherd raised on a promontory plays the syrinx as his sheep graze in the distance.The border simulates a carved and gilt frame decorated with acanthus leaves and arabesques. Although it was woven in Dresden, this panel bears the visual imprint (lush landscape, classicizing figures) of tapestries from the French Aubusson workshop, and according to the weaver's inscription, it was woven by Pierre Mercier. Mercier was in fact an Aubusson weaver, but fled France in 1686 because of Huguenot persecution. Mercier first settled in Berlin, then migrated to Dresden in 1713 to set up a weaving workshop for Frederick Augustus, elector of Saxony. Because of its Dresden localization, the tapestry must date from 1713 to 1729 (the year of Mercier's death). Verification Level This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of European and American Art at am_europeanamerican@harvard.edu
