Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from Second Catalogue of the Collection of Ancient and Modern Works of Art, Given or Loaned to the Trustees of the Museum of Fine Arts, at Boston: Now on Exhibition in the Picture Gallery of the Athenæum
They are what are technically called tapestries de haute lisse, i. E., wrought on the upright or vertical frame which was substituted for the Saracenic low or horizontal frame (called basse lisse by the Flemish and French artisans, in the XIV century.
The question as to how far such textile fabrics are the work of the hand is so often asked that an answer in this place may not be unacceptable. We quote from Dr. Rock's descriptive catalogue: Tapestry is neither real weaving nor true em broidery, but unites in its working these two principles into one. It is not embroidery, though so very like it, for tapes try is not worked upon what is really a web, having both warp and woof, but upon a series of closely-set fine strings. Though wrought in a loom and upon a warp stretched along a frame it has no woof thrown across those threads with a shuttle or any like appliance, but its web is done with many short threads, all variously colored, and put in by a kind of needle. With the upright as with the ?at frame, 'the workman went the same road to his labors; but in either of these ways he had to grope in the dark a great deal on his path. In both he was obliged to put in the threads On the back or wrong side of the piece, following the sketch as best he could behind the strings or warp. As the face was downward in the ?at frame he had no means of looking at it to correct a fault. In the upright frame he might go in front, and with his own doings in Open view on one hand and the original design full before him on the other, he could mend as he went ou, step by step, the smallest mistake, were it but a single thread.
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