Legend to the illustrations: Beg. of the 19th Century Gobelin, Tapestry and Lacework The chief subject on this print (Fig. 1) bears emphatic testimony to the fact that the art of flower-painting had descended without deterioration from the time of Louis XV. and XVI., when the work of Tessier, Jacques and others had attained such excellence, down to the days of the first Empire.  This fine design is by the painter Saint-Ange,  who  was  doubtless  engaged  in the Gobelin manufacture, but whose name, like that of  many other capable artists of the kind, is  but little known, and would have been completely forgotten, had they not also occupied themselves in preparing designs to be engraved on copper, through the publication of which their names have been preserved. While it was customary until the end of the XVIIIth century to treat with much artistic skill  the frames or borders  of the tapestries, the Empire period was content with reproducing in it scenes from the time of the emperors which were almost devoid of decoration. It is interesting to compare the form of the fruit basket in Fig. 1 with those in Figs. 2 and 4 of the other plate, observing how the freedom of the age of Louis XV. changes in the following period to  a  more rigid and formal shape, and then takes that stiff form, ornamented with classic splendour usual in the Empire style. The position which these baskets occupy with regard to their method of fixture is also characteristic.  Those of the two first periods are suspended picturesquely from light ribbons, while the later example rises sedately from the stiff Roman acanthus. The successful colouring of this design calls for special praise, as counteracting the tendency to dull colour noticeable in many ways in the style. With regard to the hangings and draperies so popular at the time of the first Empire, we here represent characteristic examples of the period. Fig. 1.  Panel of a Screen by Saint-Ange. Figs. 2—5.  Borders of silk and velvet with woven tassels from draperies in the Castle of Ludwigsburg. Fig. 6.  Fabric in the 'Garde-Meublc' collection at Paris.  (From a photograph.) Print Specifics: Type of print: Lithograph - Original antique print Year of printing: not indicated in the print - estimate: 1890s Publisher: Gustaf Chelius, Stockholm Condition: 1 (1. Excellent - 2. Very good - 3. Good - 4. Fair) Dimensions: 9 x 13 inches (1 inch = 2,54 cm), including blank margins (border) around the image. Paper weight: 2 (1. Thick - 2. Heavier - 3. Medium heavy - 4. Slightly heavier - 5. Thin) Reverse side: Blank Notes: 1. Green color around the print in the photo is a contrasting background on which the print was photographed. 2. The print detail is sharper than the photo of the print.   Martin2001 Satisfaction Guaranteed Policy! Any print purchased from me may be returned for any (or no) reason for a full refund including all postage. Internet seller since 1998. Five-star service.