The impressive hunts of the Maximilien tapestries at the Musée du Louvre

Based on an idea by Emperor Charles V, these wall hangings of impressive size were created in a Brussels workshop during the 16th century. Sometimes called Les Belles Chasses de Guise, these hunting scenes take place in the forest of Soignes, former property of the Brabant Dukes. The drawings are attributed to Bernard van Orley and François Borreman, and previously figured in the Garde-Meuble of the Throne.

Wall hangings woven with fine gold

Following pen and wash drawings, the fine gold weaving and the subjects chosen for these wall hangings reflect a great luxury of details, such as the dog collars, a Burgundy coin or the columns of Hercules. Now part of the museum galleries, they each represent one month of the year and a sign of the zodiac, featuring a hunting scene of birds, deer or boar, in keeping with the rules of that period.

Priceless historical frescoes

While the drawings are preserved at the Manufacture des Gobelins and at the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, the original frescoes remain at the Louvre. They can be distinguished by a garland on top, connected to a medalion, on the bottom by a frieze of maritime gods imitating a bas-relief, and on the sides by a vase or a basket indicating abundance. These unique works in the world are to be discovered in the largest museum in the world…