Rare 18th century ‘La Lutte d’Eumenes’ tapestry by Leyniers

Manufactured by Urbanus (1674-1747) and Daniel III Leyniers (1705-1770) in 18th century Brussels, this vibrantly coloured tapestry relates to Greek literature.

The design of the tapestry is inspired by Plutarch’s ‘Parallel Lives’. Written around the second century A.D., the Greek historian and philosopher’s piece presented the biographies of 48 influential Greeks and Romans to showcase their commonalities. ‘Eumenes’ wrestling match’ or ‘Eumene’s Struggle’ (‘La Lutte d'Eumenes') is the focus of the tapestry. Eumenes, a Greek general, is seen fighting another boy, while King Phillip II of Macedonia is observing the fight. The two officers, and two onlookers, also viewing the fight are seen to be engaging in a conversation with the King.

An Arcadian landscape acts as the backdrop for the fight, while a cityscape is seen in the distance. A further fight between two boys is depicted taking place closer to the city, but it is only being watched by one scarcely clothed character. The drawings from which the tapestry was produced were produced by artists Victor Janssens (1658-1736) and Augustin Coppens (1668-1740). The artists included a beautiful woven border imitating a carved, giltwood frame.

The Leyniers family operated from around the 16th century until 18th century. They were one of the longest established and renowned families of weavers and dyers in Brussels. Members of the Leyniers were experts in the process of dying threads in various eye-catching shades, with a number of their tapestries currently in the collections of museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

The tapestry is signed to the lower right corner ‘V. Leyniers D.L.’.

Of exceptional quality and manufactured by an important family of weavers and dyers, the tapestry would make a superb addition to the appropriate interior.