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1 of 253523 objects
Diogenes is visited by Plato 1682-83
Woven silk and wool tapestry | 336.0 x 220.0 cm (whole object) | RCIN 27950
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One panel from a series of Mortlake tapestries depicting the life of Diogenes, illustrating Dioogenes, kneeling by a stream washing herbs as Plato stands before him, within a landscape of trees and crags. Border of floral swags and large acanthus leaves with cartouches at the centre of top and lower borders, on brown ground. One of a set of five panels from this series in the Royal Collection.
Sets at Weald Hall (with borders by Clein) and at Belton House follow the same design. The present set is likely to have been the first, Mortlake, weaving of which later sets were copies.
Provenance
Purchased for Charles II, 1682-3. A set is mentioned at Kensington and recorded at St James's in 1695/6 as '6 peeces of hangings of Diogenes 11 foote', of which the present piece is probably a member. Hung at Newmarket Palace until its demolition in 1855. Lent by Queen Victoria to the South Kensington Museum on 1858 and then sent to Palace of Holyroodhouse in 1882.
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Creator(s)
(tapestry manufacturer)(nationality)Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Woven silk and wool tapestry
Measurements
336.0 x 220.0 cm (whole object)
Category
Object type(s)
