FRANCOIS CARQUILLAT (1803-1884)

This Jacquard woven silk picture, created in 1844, represents one of the most complex applications of the Jacquard loom. During the nineteenth century, weavings such as this one were highly prized as examples of a weaver's technical virtuosity. The French artist Francois Carquillat was one of the most famous and prolific weavers of silk pictures in Lyons, France, during the nineteenth century. The visit of the Duc d'Amnale depicted includes one of the few existing views of a silk weaver's workshop. The scene illustrates the diplomatic visit of one of Louis Philippe's sons to Carquillat's workshop to appease the politically radical weavers in Lyons. It is significant that, within this scene, Carquillat depicts himself holding his most famous woven portrait, that of Joseph Marie Jacquard, inventor of the Jacquard loom. This workshop scene established Carquillat's reputation as a master weaver.

Gift of Archie Dean, 1972