The most outstanding tapestries in European tradition, how pieces from the Gobelin family changed an artist’s life – ‘Their imagery is so striking’
- The Gobelin family established themselves as dyers in the 15th century and were based from the early 17th century at the Gobelins Manufactory in Paris
- British contemporary artist Stephen Thorpe explains how they retain their colours and imagery, and how they are so visual in their depictions
Tapestries from the Gobelin family, who established themselves as dyers in the 15th century, and were based from the early 17th century at the Gobelins Manufactory in Paris, are widely considered to be the most outstanding pieces in the European tapestry tradition.
British contemporary artist Stephen Thorpe, formerly a professor at Savannah College of Art and Design in Hong Kong, who recently staged the exhibition “Enter the Forest at the Darkest Point” at Ora-Ora in the city’s Central district, featuring his own tapestry-influenced work, tells Richard Lord how they changed his life.
I have very early childhood memories of rugs at home. It’s where my interest in interior space comes from. There were olive green carpets at home with really garish patterns.
I have strong memories of their smell and texture – it always stuck with me. Also, my grandmother lived in a high-rise and had horrible orange carpets – but again, they resonated with me with their texture and smell.
It’s something I started exploring in my practice: what is a rug, where was it made, what are the weaves and textures and materials?
Gobelin was the leading manufacturer of tapestries, and Gobelin tapestries are renowned for their quality. It basically had a monopoly, and produced really high-quality tapestries. It’s why you can still see them today: they retain their colours and imagery.
