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(from the series "The Four Parts of the World, and other subjects"
Victoria
(from the series "The Four Parts of the World, and other subjects"
Flemish
late 17th or early 18th century
Object Place: Probably Brussels, Flanders
Medium/Technique
Wool, silk, and metallic yarn; tapestry weave
Dimensions
Overall: 355 x 406cm (139 3/4 x 159 13/16in.)
Other (top edge): 352.4 cm (138 3/4 in.)
Other (top edge): 352.4 cm (138 3/4 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Miss Ida Deacon
Accession Number71.1
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope, Fashion and Textiles
ClassificationsTextiles
DescriptionA fashionably dressed woman sits in the center of the composition. She holds a helmet aloft in her left hand while her right hand drops to touch pieces of fruit in a dish resting on a pile of armor near her feet. Her right foot rests on another pile of armor. Two female figures stand behind her: at the left, a woman wearing billowing draperies and an olive-leaf crown holds an olive branch in her left hand, and with her right hand she places a laurel crown on the head of the seated woman; at the right stands a woman in armor holding a spear in her right hand and wearing a shield on her left arm. A standard and two banners rise from the ground in front of this figure. All three figures appear before a great curtain which has been draped above and behind them. Beyond the curtain, a valley opens into the far distance. Another fashionable female figure sits in the forward left corner of the composition. Opposite her in the forward right corner are seated two captives or slaves.
The border shows a rich rinceau of foliage, fruit and flowers punctuated with parrots, quivers of arrows, urns, and shells. These elements spill beyond the boundaries of the border and into the field; at the top, three garlands of roses hang well down into the picture area.
The border shows a rich rinceau of foliage, fruit and flowers punctuated with parrots, quivers of arrows, urns, and shells. These elements spill beyond the boundaries of the border and into the field; at the top, three garlands of roses hang well down into the picture area.
Provenance1846/1848, probably acquired in Paris by Edward Preble Deacon (b. 1813 - d. 1851) and his wife, Sarahann Parker Deacon (b. 1821 - d. 1900), Boston [see note 1]; 1861, to Mrs. Deacon's father, Peter Parker (b. 1785 - d. 1870), Boston [see note 2]; February 1-3, 1871, Deacon House sale, Leonard and Co., Boston (unnumbered catalogue). 1871, gift of Ida Elizabeth Deacon to the MFA. (Accession Date: March 10, 1871)
NOTES:
[1] The Deacons are known to have made two trips to Paris, in 1846-47 and in 1848, to acquire furnishings for their home. See Eric M. Zafran, "French Paintings in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston," vol. 1 (Boston, 1998), cat. nos. 42-43, p. 112.
[2] Mr. Deacon died in 1851 and his widow and children went abroad in 1861, at which time the ownership of their home, known as Deacon House, passed to her father. See Zafran (as above, n. 1).
NOTES:
[1] The Deacons are known to have made two trips to Paris, in 1846-47 and in 1848, to acquire furnishings for their home. See Eric M. Zafran, "French Paintings in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston," vol. 1 (Boston, 1998), cat. nos. 42-43, p. 112.
[2] Mr. Deacon died in 1851 and his widow and children went abroad in 1861, at which time the ownership of their home, known as Deacon House, passed to her father. See Zafran (as above, n. 1).