Two Brussels tapestries

Pieter Van Der Borcht (circa 1700 - circa 1800)

Temple Newsam House

1740 - 1760

The tapestries are two from a set of probably six, illustrating scenes from the life of Moses: The Finding of Moses and The Battle with the Amalekites. Nothing is particularly unusual about the tapestries' composition. In the seventeenth century, the Finding of Moses was often used as an excuse for a display of nudity, though the figure of Pharaoh's daughter was conventionally depicted standing. The composition of the Battle with the Amalekites was established well over a century before the tapestries were woven. Joshua is shown mounted, sword in hand, in the centre of a mass of combatants, putting Amalek (extreme right) to flight.

• Medium: Wool & silk tapestry
• Dimensions: 356 x 383 cm
• Art Fund Grant: £7900 ( Total: £31,482)
• ArtFunded in: 1992
• Vendor: Christie's

Provenance

Prob George,Prince of Wales; Isabella, Lady Hertford,Temple Newsam; descent to Edward Wood,3rd Viscount Halifax;sold 1945 to Frank Partridge Inc,NY;Sotheby's 7/7/61; Mrs E.N.Burke,Stackallan House, Co.Meath; sold Hamilton Osborne King/Christie's 20/10/92.

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