The Victory Tapestries at Blenheim Palace
The Victory Tapestries of John Churchill
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, was the greatest military commander of his age. In the early 18th century, he commissioned a unique set of tapestries to commemorate his famous victories in the war of the Spanish Succession.
The Victory Tapestries of John Churchill currently hang in the State Rooms at Blenheim Palace and are a dramatic part of the Palace tours.
Blenheim tapestry sent for essential restoration
In mid August, the Blenheim Tapestry: 13 August 1704, was sent for essential restoration work, at Shephard Travis Textile Conservation Studio Ltd. in Middlesex. It is an enormous task given that the tapestry measures 14 ft high by 25 ft wide and very complex because of the mixtures of silk and wool in the weave. The preservation and conservation of the tapestry will start with wet cleaning to improve the ph of the work, ensuring the long term preservation of the tapestry. The tapestry would then be placed onto a loom for the support treatment to commence in December 2007 with a finish in early June 2008.
The Arbella tapestry from the Alexander series will hang in its place until it is returned.
This tapestry was woven in Brussels in the early 18th Century. It forms part of “The History of Alexander” series of tapestries which depicted King Alexander the Great’s military exploits.
The Blenheim tapestry shows a decisive moment in British history. In the centre of the panel the defeated French Marshall Tallard surrenders to Marlborough, clearly visible in his red coat on a white horse with his commander’s baton held aloft. The Duke is accompanied by several of his officers, of which Quarter Master General Cadogan and Prince Eugene are recognizable. Lord George Hamilton, Earl of Orkney persuaded the French garrisons at the village of Blindheim (Blenheim) to lay down their arms and surrender, playing a significant part in the Allied victory.
A book on the Blenheim Tapestry collection, Threads of History, by Jeri Bapasola, is on sale in the Blenheim Palace gift shops.
Click here to read about the reinstatement of the Terracotta Statues on the North facade of the Palace.
|
|
|
|
