Artwork Page for Youth (from Chateau de Chaumont set)

Details / Information for Youth (from Chateau de Chaumont set)

Youth (from Chateau de Chaumont set)

1512–15

France, Lyon(?), early 16th century

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Medium
silk and wool; tapestry weave
Measurements
Overall: 321.8 x 452 cm (126 11/16 x 177 15/16 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1960.176.2
Public Domain
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Location
113 French Tapestries & Illuminated Manuscripts
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Description

Louise of Savoy (1476-1531), queen mother of King Francis I, is depicted here in a sumptuous brocaded velvet in the center. She addresses youthful figures including Éléonore, Pierre Sala’s daughter who is facing her future husband, Hector. On the right, King Louis XII (died 1514) stands in front of the Chateau Langais where he had married Anne of Brittany. Above is Hector’s deceased father with a partially concealed skull under his robe, while a woman expresses surprise at the sight. The verse in Old French at the top states that youthful happiness is not eternal: Youth makes sounds as long as its heart is healthy, And thinks that it holds all in its hand. But this triumph is not eternal. Here you see clearly an example: He that is happy has death in his breast. Of this you people should take note.
A horizontally oriented tapestry depicts a garden scene with people with light skin tones wearing ornate garments of various shades of pink and dark blue, and a white castle in the upper right, next to a block of Old French text (see "Inscriptions"). A central woman wears a light-orange dress, arms spread to the seven people flanking her, some playing instruments, while two adults and a child a fourth her size move through flowers at her feet.

Youth (from Chateau de Chaumont set)

1512–15

France, Lyon(?), early 16th century

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